scholarly journals Forced magnetic reconnection and plasmoid coalescence

2019 ◽  
Vol 623 ◽  
pp. A15 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Potter ◽  
P. K. Browning ◽  
M. Gordovskyy
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Reconnection ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
Energy Release ◽  
External Perturbation ◽  
Mhd Equations ◽  
Magnetic Islands ◽  
Initial Current ◽  
Reconnection Region ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Forced Magnetic Reconnection

Context. Forced magnetic reconnection, a reconnection event triggered by external perturbation, should be ubiquitous in the solar corona. Energy released during such cases can be much greater than that which was introduced by the perturbation. The exact dynamics of magnetic reconnection events are determined by the structure and complexity of the reconnection region: the thickness of reconnecting layers, the field curvature; the presence, shapes and sizes of magnetic islands. It is unclear how the properties of the external perturbation and the initial current sheet affect the reconnection region properties, and thereby the reconnection dynamics and energy release profile. Aims. We investigate the effect of the form of the external perturbation and initial current sheet on the evolution of the reconnection region and the energy release process. Chiefly we explore the non-linear interactions between multiple, simultaneous perturbations, which represent more realistic scenarios. Future work will use these results in test particle simulations to investigate particle acceleration over multiple reconnection events. Methods. Simulations are performed using Lare2d, a 2.5D Lagrangian-remap solver for the visco-resistive MHD equations. The model of forced reconnection is extended to include superpositions of sinusoidal driving disturbances, including localised Gaussian perturbations. A transient perturbation is applied to the boundaries of a region containing a force-free current sheet. The simulation domain is sufficiently wide to allow multiple magnetic islands to form and coalesce. Results. Island coalescence contributes significantly to energy release and involves rapid reconnection. Long wavelength modes in perturbations dominate the evolution, without the presence of which reconnection is either slow, as in the case of short wavelength modes, or the initial current sheet remains stable, as in the case of noise perturbations. Multiple perturbations combine in a highly non-linear manner: reconnection is typically faster than when either disturbance is applied individually, with multiple low-energy events contributing to the same total energy release.

scholarly journals Onset of 2D magnetic reconnection in the solar photosphere, chromosphere, and corona

2018 ◽  
Vol 609 ◽  
pp. A100
Author(s):  
B. Snow ◽  
G. J. J. Botha ◽  
J. A. McLaughlin ◽  
A. Hillier
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Magnetic Reconnection ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
Ambipolar Diffusion ◽  
Mhd Equations ◽  
Solar Photosphere ◽  
Sharp Rise ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Reconnection Region ◽  
Advection Term

Aims. We aim to investigate the onset of 2D time-dependent magnetic reconnection that is triggered using an external (non-local) velocity driver located away from, and perpendicular to, an equilibrium Harris current sheet. Previous studies have typically utilised an internal trigger to initiate reconnection, for example initial conditions centred on the current sheet. Here, an external driver allows for a more naturalistic trigger as well as the study of the earlier stages of the reconnection start-up process. Methods. Numerical simulations solving the compressible, resistive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations were performed to investigate the reconnection onset within different atmospheric layers of the Sun, namely the corona, chromosphere and photosphere. Results. A reconnecting state is reached for all atmospheric heights considered, with the dominant physics being highly dependent on atmospheric conditions. The coronal case achieves a sharp rise in electric field (indicative of reconnection) for a range of velocity drivers. For the chromosphere, we find a larger velocity amplitude is required to trigger reconnection (compared to the corona). For the photospheric environment, the electric field is highly dependent on the inflow speed; a sharp increase in electric field is obtained only as the velocity entering the reconnection region approaches the Alfvén speed. Additionally, the role of ambipolar diffusion is investigated for the chromospheric case and we find that the ambipolar diffusion alters the structure of the current density in the inflow region. Conclusions. The rate at which flux enters the reconnection region is controlled by the inflow velocity. This determines all aspects of the reconnection start-up process, that is, the early onset of reconnection is dominated by the advection term in Ohm’s law in all atmospheric layers. A lower plasma-β enhances reconnection and creates a large change in the electric field. A high plasma-β hinders the reconnection, yielding a sharp rise in the electric field only when the velocity flowing into the reconnection region approaches the local Alfvén speed.

scholarly journals Magnetic Reconnection as the Origin of Galactic Ridge X-Ray Emission

1998 ◽  
Vol 188 ◽  
pp. 269-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Tanuma ◽  
T. Yokoyama ◽  
T. Kudoh ◽  
K. Shibata ◽  
R. Matsumoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Reconnection ◽  
Galactic Plane ◽  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Mhd Equations ◽  
Magnetic Islands ◽  
Cool Component ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Hot Plasma ◽  
Helical Tubes

We present a scenario for the origin of the hot plasma in our Galaxy, as a model of a strong X-ray emission (LX(2 – 10keV) ~ 1038 erg s−1), called Galactic Ridge X-ray Emission (GRXE), which has been observed near the Galactic plane. GRXE is thermal emission from hot component (~ 7 keV) and cool component (~ 0.8 keV). Observations suggest that the hot component is diffuse, and is not escaping away freely. Both what heats the hot component and what confines it in the Galactic ridge are still remained puzzling, while the cool component is believed to be made by supernovae. We propose a new scenario: the hot component of GRXE plasma is heated by magnetic reconnection, and confined in the helical magnetic field produced by magnetic reconnection or in the current sheet and magnetic field. We solved also the 2-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations numerically to study how the magnetic reconnection creates hot plasmas and magnetic islands (helical tubes), and how the magnetic islands confine the hot plasmas in Galaxy. We conclude that the magnetic reconnection is able to heat up the cool component to hot component of GRXE plasma if the magnetic field is localized into intense flux tube with Blocal ~ 30 μG (the volume filling factor of f ~ 0.1).

scholarly journals A solar filament disconnected by magnetic reconnection

2020 ◽  
Vol 633 ◽  
pp. A121
Author(s):  
Zhike Xue ◽  
Xiaoli Yan ◽  
Liheng Yang ◽  
Jincheng Wang ◽  
Qiaoling Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Region ◽  
Magnetic Reconnection ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
Lower Atmosphere ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Reconnection Region ◽  
Resolution Observation ◽  
Solar Filament ◽  
Reconnection Site ◽  
The Right

Aims. We aim to study a high-resolution observation of an asymmetric inflow magnetic reconnection between a filament and its surrounding magnetic loops in active region NOAA 12436 on 2015 October 23. Methods. We analyzed the multiband observations of the magnetic reconnection obtained by the New Vacuum Solar Telescope (NVST) and the Solar Dynamic Observatory. We calculated the NVST Hα Dopplergrams to determine the Doppler properties of the magnetic reconnection region and the rotation of a jet. Results. The filament firstly becomes active and then approaches its southwestern surrounding magnetic loops (L1) with a velocity of 9.0 km s−1. During this period, the threads of the filament become loose in the reconnection region and then reconnect with L1 in turn. L1 is pressed backward by the filament with a velocity of 5.5 km s−1, and then the magnetic reconnection occurs between them. A set of newly formed loops are separated from the reconnection site with a mean velocity of 127.3 km s−1. In the middle stage, some threads of the filament return back first with a velocity of 20.1 km s−1, and others return with a velocity of 4.1 km s−1 after about 07:46 UT. Then, L1 also begins to return with a velocity of 3.5 km s−1 at about 07:47 UT. At the same time, magnetic reconnection continues to occur between them until 07:51 UT. During the reconnection, a linear typical current sheet forms with a length of 5.5 Mm and a width of 1.0 Mm, and a lot of hot plasma blobs are observed propagating from the typical current sheet. During the reconnection, the plasma in the reconnection region and the typical current sheet always shows redshifted feature. Furthermore, the material and twist of the filament are injected into the newly longer-formed magnetic loops by the magnetic reconnection, which leads to the formation of a jet, and its rotation. Conclusions. The observational evidence for the asymmetric inflow magnetic reconnection is investigated. We conclude that the magnetic reconnection does occur in this event and results in the disconnection of the filament. The looseness of the filament may be due to the pressure imbalance between the inside and outside of the filament. The redshifted feature in the reconnection site can be explained by the expansion of the right flank of the filament to the lower atmosphere because of the complex magnetic configuration in this active region.

A numerical investigation of magnetic reconnection

1996 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Anderson ◽  
Ferdinand Jamitzky
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Magnetic Reconnection ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Plasma Jets ◽  
Mhd Equations ◽  
Initial Condition ◽  
Reconnection Rate ◽  
Final Steady State

A time-dependent two-dimensional MHD simulation program is used to investigate the magnetic reconnection process with a spatially uniform diffusivity. Various initial conditions are considered and are allowed to evolve until a final steady state is produced. The boundary conditions are carefully handled in order that they be as strict as possible. In the first series of simulations the initial condition is taken to be an analytical solution of the ideal MHD equations given by Biskamp. Dirichlet (fixed) boundary conditions are used, with a small amount of flexibility allowed on the boundary for the stream function in order to prevent any unphysical currents forming. The final steady- state contains a current sheet whose width and length are found to vary as and respectively, and the reconnection rate is found to be independent of the value of Rm, indicative of fast reconnection. Additionally, as Rm, is increased, a region of reversed current and a high-speed jet of plasma are observed to develop along the MHD shock separating the inflow and outflow regions. The second series of simulations uses a slightly different initial condition that allows a faster outflow of plasma from the simulation region. The current sheet width of the final steady state is again found to vary as , and the reconnection rate is again independent of Rm. However, no reversed currents or plasma jetting along the shock are observed, indicating that the plasma jets of previous simulations are due to restrictive outflow conditions, which force the high-speed plasma emerging from the end of the current sheet to divert along the MHD shock. Lastly, the analytical model of Petschek is utilized to provide an initial condition. For this case, however, it is not possible to keep the boundary conditions as strict as before, since both the stream and flux functions have to be allowed to vary slightly in order to deal with the discontinuities of the Petschek model. Although steady-state solutions can be obtained, they are found, owing to the laxness of the boundary conditions, not to exhibit the well-defined structure or small current sheets of the previous results.

scholarly journals A magnetic reconnection model for hot explosions in the cool atmosphere of the Sun

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Ni
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Reconnection ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
Large Temperature ◽  
Formation Mechanisms ◽  
Line Profiles ◽  
Turbulent Structures ◽  
Plasma Parameters ◽  
Magnetic Diffusivity ◽  
Reconnection Region ◽  
Initial Plasma

<p>UV bursts and Ellerman bombs are transient brightenings observed in the low solar atmospheres of emerging flux regions. Observations have discovered the cospatial and cotemporal EBs and UV bursts, and their formation mechanisms are still not clear. The multi-thermal components with a large temperature span in these events challenge our understanding of magnetic reconnection and heating mechanisms in the low solar atmosphere. We have studied magnetic reconnection between the emerging and background magnetic fields. The initial plasma parameters are based on the C7 atmosphere model. After the current sheet with dense photosphere plasma is emerged to <span tabindex="0" role="presentation" data-mathml='<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mn>0.5</mn></math>'><span><span><span>0.5</span></span></span></span> Mm above the solar surface, plasmoid instability appears. The plasmoids collide and coalesce with each other, which makes the plasmas with different densities and temperatures mixed up in the turbulent reconnection region. Therefore, the hot plasmas corresponding to the UV emissions and colder plasmas corresponding to the emissions from other wavelenghts can move together and occur at about the same height. In the meantime, the hot turbulent structures basically concentrate above <span tabindex="0" role="presentation" data-mathml='<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mn>0.4</mn></math>'><span><span><span>0.4</span></span></span></span> Mm, whereas the cool plasmas extend to much lower heights to the bottom of the current sheet. These phenomena are consistent with the observations of Chen et al. 2019, ApJL. The synthesized Si IV line profiles are similar to the observed one in UV bursts, the enhanced wing of the line profiles can extend to about <span tabindex="0" role="presentation" data-mathml='<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mn>100</mn></math>'><span><span><span>100</span></span></span></span> km s<span tabindex="0" role="presentation" data-mathml='<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><msup><mi></mi><mrow class="MJX-TeXAtom-ORD"><mo>−</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msup></math>'><span><span><span><span></span><span><span><span>−</span><span>1</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>. The differences are significant among the numerical results with different resolutions, which indicate that the realistic magnetic diffusivity is crucial to reveal the fine structures and realistic plasmas heating in these reconnection events. Our results also show that the reconnection heating contributed by ambipolar diffusion in the low chromosphere around the temperature minimum region is not efficient.</p>

scholarly journals Full particle-in-cell simulations of kinetic equilibria and the role of the initial current sheet on steady asymmetric magnetic reconnection

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Dargent ◽  
N. Aunai ◽  
G. Belmont ◽  
N. Dorville ◽  
B. Lavraud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Distribution Function ◽  
Magnetic Reconnection ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Electron Flow ◽  
Electron Distribution Function ◽  
Ion Distribution ◽  
Initial Current ◽  
Particle In Cell ◽  
Kinetic Equilibrium

Tangential current sheets are ubiquitous in space plasmas and yet hard to describe with a kinetic equilibrium. In this paper, we use a semi-analytical model, the BAS model, which provides a steady ion distribution function for a tangential asymmetric current sheet and we prove that an ion kinetic equilibrium produced by this model remains steady in a fully kinetic particle-in-cell simulation even if the electron distribution function does not satisfy the time independent Vlasov equation. We then apply this equilibrium to look at the dependence of magnetic reconnection simulations on their initial conditions. We show that, as the current sheet evolves from a symmetric to an asymmetric upstream plasma, the reconnection rate is impacted and the X line and the electron flow stagnation point separate from one another and start to drift. For the simulated systems, we investigate the overall evolution of the reconnection process via the classical signatures discussed in the literature and searched in the Magnetospheric MultiScale data. We show that they seem robust and do not depend on the specific details of the internal structure of the initial current sheet.

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