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Torsional magnetic reconnection: The effects of localizing the non-ideal (ηJ) term

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2011

PETER F. WYPER  and
REKHA JAIN
PETER F. WYPER
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK ([email protected])
REKHA JAIN
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK ([email protected])
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Abstract

Magnetic reconnection in three dimensions (3D) is a natural extension from X-point reconnection in two dimensions. Of central importance in the 3D process is a localized non-ideal region within which the plasma and magnetic field decouple allowing for field line connectivity change. In practice, localized current structures provide this localization; however, mathematically a similar effect can be achieved with the localization of plasma resistivity instead. Physically though, such approaches are unrealistic, as anomalous resistivity requires very localized currents. Therefore, we wish to know how much information is lost in localizing η instead of current? In this work we develop kinematic models for torsional spine and fan reconnection using both localized η and localized current and compare the non-ideal flows predicted by each. We find that the flow characteristics are dictated almost exclusively by the form taken for the current profile with η acting only to scale the flow. We do, however, note that the reconnection mechanism is the same in each case. Therefore, from an understanding point of view, localized η models are still important first steps into exploring the role of non-ideal effects.

Type
Papers
Information
Journal of Plasma Physics , Volume 77 , Issue 6 , December 2011 , pp. 843 - 855
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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References

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