Two-dimensional MHD simulations of relativistic magnetic reconnection
Astrophysics
2009-11-11 v2
Abstract
It has been recognized that magnetic reconnection process is of great importance in high-energy astrophysics. We develop a new two-dimensional relativistic resistive magnetohydrodynamic (RMHD) code, and carry out numerical simulations of magnetic reconnection. We find that outflow velocity reaches Alfv\'{e}n velocity in the inflow region, and that higher Alfv\'{e}n velocity provides higher reconnection rate. We also find Lorentz contraction plays an important role in enhancement of reconnection rate.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0607285,
title = {Two-dimensional MHD simulations of relativistic magnetic reconnection},
author = {Naoyuki Watanabe and Takaaki Yokoyama},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0607285},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
11 pages, 4 figures, accepted by ApJL