A Characteristic Mapping Method with Source Terms: Applications to Ideal Magnetohydrodynamics

Abstract: This work introduces a generalized characteristic mapping method designed to handle non-linear advection with source terms. The semi-Lagrangian approach advances the flow map, incorporating the source term via the Duhamel integral. We derive a recursive formula for the time decomposition of the map and the source term integral, enhancing computational efficiency. Benchmark computations are presented for a test case with an exact solution and for two-dimensional ideal incompressible magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Results demonstrate third-order accuracy in both space and time. The submap decomposition method achieves exceptionally high resolution, as illustrated by zooming into fine-scale current sheets. An error estimate is performed and suggests third order convergence in space and time.