The Orientation of the Reconnection X-line
Space Physics
2015-05-13 v1 Astrophysics
Abstract
We propose a criterion for identifying the orientation of the X-line when two regions of plasma with arbitrary densities, temperatures, and magnetic fields undergo reconnection. The X-line points in the direction that maximizes the (suitably-defined) Alfv\'en speed characterizing the reconnection outflow. For many situations a good approximation is that the X-line bisects the angle formed by the magnetic fields.
Cite
@article{arxiv.0704.2758,
title = {The Orientation of the Reconnection X-line},
author = {M. Swisdak and J. F. Drake},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0704.2758},
year = {2015}
}