Three-dimensional simulations of the orientation and structure of reconnection X-lines
Abstract
This work employs Hall magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations to study the X-lines formed during the reconnection of magnetic fields with differing strengths and orientations embedded in plasmas of differing densities. Although random initial perturbations trigger the growth of X-lines with many orientations, at late time a few robust X-lines sharing an orientation reasonably consistent with the direction that maximizes the outflow speed, as predicted by Swisdak and Drake [Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L11106, (2007)], dominate the system. The existence of reconnection in the geometry examined here contradicts the suggestion of Sonnerup [J. Geophys. Res., 79, 1546 (1974)] that reconnection occurs in a plane normal to the equilibrium current. At late time the growth of the X-lines stagnates, leaving them shorter than the simulation domain.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1009.1650,
title = {Three-dimensional simulations of the orientation and structure of reconnection X-lines},
author = {R. Schreier and M. Swisdak and J. F. Drake and P. A. Cassak},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1009.1650},
year = {2015}
}
Comments
Accepted by Physics of Plasmas