scholarly journals Magnetic field structure of large-scale plasmoid generated by the fast reconnection mechanism in a sheared current sheet

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 1511-1521 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ugai
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Field Component ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Magnetized Plasma ◽  
The North ◽  
Magnetic Field Region ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Fast Reconnection

Abstract. On the basis of the spontaneous fast reconnection model, three-dimensional magnetic field profiles associated with a large-scale plasmoid propagating along the antiparallel magnetic fields are studied in the general sheared current sheet system. The plasmoid is generated ahead of the fast reconnection jet as a result of distinct compression of the magnetized plasma. Inside the plasmoid, the sheared (east-west) field component has the peak value at the plasmoid center located at x=XC, where the north-south field component changes its sign. The plasmoid center corresponds to the so-called contact discontinuity that bounds the reconnected field lines in x<XC and the field lines without reconnection in x>XC. Hence, contray to the conventional prediction, the reconnected sheared field lines in x<XC are not spiral or helical, since they cannot be topologically connected to the field lines in x>XC. It is demonstrated that the resulting profiles of magnetic field components inside the plasmoid are, in principle, consistent with satellite observations. In the ambient magnetic field region outside the plasmoid too, the magnetic field profiles are in good agreement with the well-known observations of traveling compression regions (TCRs).

scholarly journals The structure and dynamics of a large-scale plasmoid generated by fast reconnection in the geomagnetic tail

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ugai
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Field Component ◽  
The North ◽  
Reconnection Region ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
East West ◽  
Fast Reconnection

Abstract. As a sequence of Ugai (2010b), the present paper studies in detail the structure and dynamics of large-scale (principal) plasmoid, generated by the fast reconnection evolution in a sheared current sheet with no initial northward field component. The overall plasmoid domain is divided into the plasmoid reconnection region P and the plasmoid core region C. In the region P, the magnetized plasma with reconnected field lines are accumulated, whereas in the region C, the plasma, which was intially embedded in the current sheet and has been ejected away by the reconnection jet, is compressed and accumulated. In the presence of the sheared magnetic field in the east-west direction in the current sheet, the upper and lower parts of the reconnection region P are inversely shifted in the east-west directions. Accordingly, the plasmoid core region C with the accumulated sheared field lines is bent in the north-south direction just ahead of the plasmoid center x=XC, causing the magnetic field component in the north-south direction, whose sign is always opposite to that of the reconnected field lines. Therefore, independently of the sign of the initial sheared field, the magnetic field component Bz in the north-south direction has the definite bipolar profile around XC along the x-axis. At x=XC, the sheared field component has the peak value, and as the sheared fields accumulated in the region C become larger, the bipolar field profile becomes more distinct.

scholarly journals 2D and 3D turbulent magnetic reconnection

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (H15) ◽  
pp. 434-435
Author(s):  
A. Lazarian ◽  
G. Kowal ◽  
E. Vishniac ◽  
K. Kulpa-Dubel ◽  
K. Otmianowska-Mazur
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Reconnection ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Turnover Time ◽  
Turbulent Fluid ◽  
Astrophysical Objects ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
The Magnetic Field

AbstractA magnetic field embedded in a perfectly conducting fluid preserves its topology for all times. Although ionized astrophysical objects, like stars and galactic disks, are almost perfectly conducting, they show indications of changes in topology, magnetic reconnection, on dynamical time scales. Reconnection can be observed directly in the solar corona, but can also be inferred from the existence of large scale dynamo activity inside stellar interiors. Solar flares and gamma ray busts are usually associated with magnetic reconnection. Previous work has concentrated on showing how reconnection can be rapid in plasmas with very small collision rates. Here we present numerical evidence, based on three dimensional simulations, that reconnection in a turbulent fluid occurs at a speed comparable to the rms velocity of the turbulence, regardless of the value of the resistivity. In particular, this is true for turbulent pressures much weaker than the magnetic field pressure so that the magnetic field lines are only slightly bent by the turbulence. These results are consistent with the proposal by Lazarian & Vishniac (1999) that reconnection is controlled by the stochastic diffusion of magnetic field lines, which produces a broad outflow of plasma from the reconnection zone. This work implies that reconnection in a turbulent fluid typically takes place in approximately a single eddy turnover time, with broad implications for dynamo activity and particle acceleration throughout the universe. In contrast, the reconnection in 2D configurations in the presence of turbulence depends on resistivity, i.e. is slow.

Mixed convection in a horizontal duct with bottom heating and strong transverse magnetic field

2014 ◽  
Vol 757 ◽  
pp. 33-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuan Zhang ◽  
Oleg Zikanov
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Mixed Convection ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Transverse Magnetic ◽  
Temperature Fields ◽  
Horizontal Magnetic Field ◽  
Bottom Heating ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
The Magnetic Field

AbstractMixed convection in a horizontal duct with imposed transverse horizontal magnetic field is studied using direct numerical simulations (DNS) and linear stability analysis. The duct’s walls are electrically insulated and thermally insulated with the exception of the bottom wall, at which constant-rate heating is applied. The focus of the study is on flows at high Hartmann ($\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}\mathit{Ha}\le 800$) and Grashof ($\mathit{Gr}\le 10^9$) numbers. It is found that, while conventional turbulence is fully suppressed, the natural convection mechanism leads to the development of large-scale coherent structures. Two types of flows are found. One is the ‘low-$\mathit{Gr}$’ regime, in which the structures are rolls aligned with the magnetic field and velocity and temperature fields are nearly uniform along the magnetic field lines outside of the boundary layers. Another is the ‘high-$\mathit{Gr}$’ regime, in which the convection appears as a combination of similar rolls oriented along the magnetic field lines and streamwise-oriented rolls. In this case, velocity and temperature distributions are anisotropic, but three-dimensional.

scholarly journals Virtual satellite observations of plasmoids generated by fast reconnection in the geomagnetic tail

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1411-1422 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ugai
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Field Component ◽  
Core Region ◽  
Satellite Observations ◽  
Magnetized Plasmas ◽  
Field Profile ◽  
Geomagnetic Tail ◽  
Magnetic Field Profile ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Fast Reconnection

Abstract. The present paper studies fundamental features of plasmoid propagation by virtual satellite observations in the simulation box. The plasmoid domain is divided into the plasmoid reconnection region P, where magnetized plasmas with reconnected field lines, heated by dissipation mechanisms of fast reconnection, are accumulated, and the plasmoid core region C, where magnetized plasmas with sheared field lines, initially embedded in the current sheet, is adiabatically compressed. When the virtual satellite is located in a position through which the plasmoid core region passes, it detects distinct changes in quantities at the interface between the regions P and C, where the north-south field component Bz has the bipolar profile and the sheared field component By has the peak value. The observed magnetic field profile is, both quantitatively and qualitatively, in good agreement with the standard one detected by actual satellite observations, although when the satellite location is very close to the X neutral line, where reconnection occurs, the Bz field profile becomes dipolarization-like rather than bipolar. If the satellite detects only the plasmoid region P outside region C, the standard magnetic field profile becomes obscure even if notable plasmoid signatures, such as enhanced plasma temperature and plasma flow, are observed. Unlike the traditional flux rope model based on multiple reconnections, it is demonstrated that the standard magnetic field profile, observed for plasmoids propagating in the geomagnetic tail, is the direct outcome of the single fast reconnection evolution.

Finding the drivers for a non-steady state and large-scale stresses acting on the Saturnian magnetosphere

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ned Staniland ◽  
Michele Dougherty ◽  
Adam Masters
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
Ground State ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Internal Field ◽  
Global Dynamics ◽  
Complete Dataset ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Inner Region

&lt;p&gt;In the inner region of Saturn&amp;#8217;s rotationally-dominated magnetosphere, the governing magnetic field contributors are the internal magnetic field and the magnetodisc current sheet. The equatorially confined plasma sourced predominantly by the moon Enceladus stretches Saturn&amp;#8217;s magnetic field lines into the characteristic &amp;#8216;magnetodisc&amp;#8217; geometry. The extent of this effect varies due to both external and internal dynamical processes that perturb the system.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this study, we use the complete dataset collected by the Cassini spacecraft to determine whether the magnetosphere is compressed, stretched or near some prescribed ground state. We find that there is an underlying dawn-dusk asymmetry in the ground state of Saturn&amp;#8217;s magnetosphere, where the field is more compressed at dusk compared to dawn. Whilst Saturn spent a significant period of the Cassini mission near its ground state, we find evidence for large-scale stresses acting on the system, including large compression events that coincide with the declining phase of the solar cycle. These results are then compared to propagated solar wind data. In addition, approximately two thirds of our dataset is well described by the internal field and current sheet models, signifying the system was in steady-state during these passes. We further discuss the drivers for the non-steady state periods at Saturn and what this implies for the global dynamics of Saturn's magnetosphere.&lt;/p&gt;

AGN torus threaded by large scale magnetic field

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 1844006
Author(s):  
A. Dorodnitsyn ◽  
T. Kallman
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Angular Momentum ◽  
Accretion Disk ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Radiative Feedback ◽  
Large Scale Magnetic Field ◽  
Three Dimensional Simulations

Large scale magnetic field can be easily dragged from galactic scales toward AGN along with accreting gas. There, it can contribute to both the formation of AGN “torus” and help to remove angular momentum from the gas which fuels AGN accretion disk. However the dynamics of such gas is also strongly influenced by the radiative feedback from the inner accretion disk. Here we present results from the three-dimensional simulations of pc-scale accretion which is exposed to intense X-ray heating.

scholarly journals The development of magnetic field line wander by plasma turbulence

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory G. Howes ◽  
Sofiane Bourouaine
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Field Line ◽  
Magnetic Field Line ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Plasma Turbulence ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Astrophysical Plasmas ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Plasma turbulence occurs ubiquitously in space and astrophysical plasmas, mediating the nonlinear transfer of energy from large-scale electromagnetic fields and plasma flows to small scales at which the energy may be ultimately converted to plasma heat. But plasma turbulence also generically leads to a tangling of the magnetic field that threads through the plasma. The resulting wander of the magnetic field lines may significantly impact a number of important physical processes, including the propagation of cosmic rays and energetic particles, confinement in magnetic fusion devices and the fundamental processes of turbulence, magnetic reconnection and particle acceleration. The various potential impacts of magnetic field line wander are reviewed in detail, and a number of important theoretical considerations are identified that may influence the development and saturation of magnetic field line wander in astrophysical plasma turbulence. The results of nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations of kinetic Alfvén wave turbulence of sub-ion length scales are evaluated to understand the development and saturation of the turbulent magnetic energy spectrum and of the magnetic field line wander. It is found that turbulent space and astrophysical plasmas are generally expected to contain a stochastic magnetic field due to the tangling of the field by strong plasma turbulence. Future work will explore how the saturated magnetic field line wander varies as a function of the amplitude of the plasma turbulence and the ratio of the thermal to magnetic pressure, known as the plasma beta.

scholarly journals Numerical study of the reconnection process between magnetic cloud and heliospheric current sheet

2018 ◽  
Vol 619 ◽  
pp. A82
Author(s):  
Man Zhang ◽  
Yu Fen Zhou ◽  
Xue Shang Feng ◽  
Bo Li ◽  
Ming Xiong
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Reconnection ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
Dynamic Process ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Magnetic Cloud ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Heliospheric Current Sheet ◽  
Reconnection Process ◽  
Magnetic Filed

In this paper, we have used a three-dimensional numerical magnetohydrodynamics model to study the reconnection process between magnetic cloud and heliospheric current sheet. Within a steady-state heliospheric model that gives a reasonable large-scale structure of the solar wind near solar minimum, we injected a spherical plasmoid to mimic a magnetic cloud. When the magnetic cloud moves to the heliospheric current sheet, the dynamic process causes the current sheet to become gradually thinner and the magnetic reconnection begin. The numerical simulation can reproduce the basic characteristics of the magnetic reconnection, such as the correlated/anticorrelated signatures in V and B passing a reconnection exhaust. Depending on the initial magnetic helicity of the cloud, magnetic reconnection occurs at points along the boundary of the two systems where antiparallel field lines are forced together. We find the magnetic filed and velocity in the MC have a effect on the reconnection rate, and the magnitude of velocity can also effect the beginning time of reconnection. These results are helpful in understanding and identifying the dynamic process occurring between the magnetic cloud and the heliospheric current sheet.

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