Stationary symmetric magnetohydrodynamic flows

The problem of translation symmetric stationary magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow is analyzed with respect to the different permitted flow regimes. A minimal set of equilibrium functions is constructed facilitating the complete explicit solution in the case of self-similar flow. It is found that limiting line and Alfven singularities leads to a division in four distinct velocity regimes which cannot be connected by continuous flows. Instead, the three types of MHD shocks appear, enabling the system to pass from the high to the low speed regimes. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.