477 research outputs found
On the two-dimensional magnetic reconnection with nonuniform resistivity
In this paper two theoretical approaches for the calculation of the rate of
quasi-stationary, two-dimensional magnetic reconnection with nonuniform
anomalous resistivity are considered in the framework of incompressible
magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). In the first, ``global'' equations approach the MHD
equations are approximately solved for a whole reconnection layer, including
the upstream and downstream regions and the layer center. In the second,
``local'' equations approach the equations are solved across the reconnection
layer, including only the upstream region and the layer center. Both approaches
give the same approximate answer for the reconnection rate. Our theoretical
model is in agreement with the results of recent simulations of reconnection
with spatially nonuniform resistivity by Baty, Priest and Forbes (2006),
contrary to their conclusions.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figur
Magnetic reconnection with anomalous resistivity in two-and-a-half dimensions I: Quasi-stationary case
In this paper quasi-stationary, two-and-a-half-dimensional magnetic
reconnection is studied in the framework of incompressible resistive
magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). A new theoretical approach for calculation of the
reconnection rate is presented. This approach is based on local analytical
derivations in a thin reconnection layer, and it is applicable to the case when
resistivity is anomalous and is an arbitrary function of the electric current
and the spatial coordinates. It is found that a quasi-stationary reconnection
rate is fully determined by a particular functional form of the anomalous
resistivity and by the local configuration of the magnetic field just outside
the reconnection layer. It is also found that in the special case of constant
resistivity reconnection is Sweet-Parker and not Petschek.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures, minor changes as compared to the 1st versio
Magnetic Flux Expulsion in the Powerful Superbubble Explosions and the Alpha-Omega Dynamo
The possibility of the magnetic flux expulsion from the Galaxy in the
superbubble (SB) explosions, important for the Alpha-Omega dynamo, is
considered. Special emphasis is put on the investigation of the downsliding of
the matter from the top of the shell formed by the SB explosion which is able
to influence the kinematics of the shell. It is shown that either Galactic
gravity or the development of the Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities in the shell
limit the SB expansion, thus, making impossible magnetic flux expulsion. The
effect of the cosmic rays in the shell on the sliding is considered and it is
shown that it is negligible compared to Galactic gravity. Thus, the question of
possible mechanism of flux expulsion in the Alpha-Omega dynamo remains open.Comment: MNRAS, in press, 11 pages, 9 figure
A model of Hall reconnection
The rate of quasi-stationary, two-dimensional magnetic reconnection is
calculated in the framework of incompressible Hall magnetohydrodynamics (MHD).
The calculation is based on the solution of Hall-MHD equations that include
Hall and electron pressure terms for electric current. These equations are
solved in a local region across the reconnection electron layer, including only
the upstream region and the layer center. In the case when the ion inertial
length d_i is larger than the Sweet-Parker reconnection layer thickness, the
dimensionless reconnection rate is found to be independent of the electrical
resistivity and equal to d_i/L, where L is the scale length of the external
magnetic field in the upstream region outside the electron layer.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur
MHD Memes
The celebration of Allan Kaufman's 80th birthday was an occasion to reflect
on a career that has stimulated the mutual exchange of ideas (or memes in the
terminology of Richard Dawkins) between many researchers. This paper will
revisit a meme Allan encountered in his early career in magnetohydrodynamics,
the continuation of a magnetohydrodynamic mode through a singularity, and will
also mention other problems where Allan's work has had a powerful
cross-fertilizing effect in plasma physics and other areas of physics and
mathematics.Comment: Submitted for publication in IOP Journal of Physics: Conference
Series for publication in "Plasma Theory, Wave Kinetics, and Nonlinear
Dynamics", Proceedings of KaufmanFest, 5-7 October 2007, University of
California, Berkeley, US
2D Numerical Simulation of the Resistive Reconnection Layer
In this paper we present a two-dimensional numerical simulation of a reconnection current layer in incompressible resistive magnetohydrodynamics with uniform resistivity in the limit of very large Lundquist numbers. We use realistic boundary conditions derived consistently from the outside magnetic field, and we also take into account the effect of the backpressure from the flow into the separatrix region. We find that within a few Alfven times the system reaches a steady state consistent with the Sweet--Parker model, even if the initial state is Petschek-like
Nonlinear growth of firehose and mirror fluctuations in turbulent galaxy-cluster plasmas
In turbulent high-beta astrophysical plasmas (exemplified by the galaxy
cluster plasmas), pressure-anisotropy-driven firehose and mirror fluctuations
grow nonlinearly to large amplitudes, dB/B ~ 1, on a timescale comparable to
the turnover time of the turbulent motions. The principle of their nonlinear
evolution is to generate secularly growing small-scale magnetic fluctuations
that on average cancel the temporal change in the large-scale magnetic field
responsible for the pressure anisotropies. The presence of small-scale magnetic
fluctuations may dramatically affect the transport properties and, thereby, the
large-scale dynamics of the high-beta astrophysical plasmas.Comment: revtex, 4 pages, 1 figure; replaced to match published versio
Amplification of magnetic fields by dynamo action in Gaussian-correlated helical turbulence
We investigate the growth and structure of magnetic fields amplified by
kinematic dynamo action in turbulence with non-zero kinetic helicity. We assume
a simple Gaussian velocity correlation tensor, which allows us to consider very
large magnetic Reynolds numbers, up to one trillion. We use the kinematic
Kazantsev-Kraichnan model of dynamo and find a complete numerical solution for
the correlation functions of growing magnetic fields.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure
Fast and slow two-fluid magnetic reconnection
We present a two-fluid magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model of quasi-stationary,
two-dimensional magnetic reconnection in an incompressible plasma composed of
electrons and ions. We find two distinct regimes of slow and fast reconnection.
The presence of these two regimes can provide a possible explanation for the
initial slow build up and subsequent rapid release of magnetic energy
frequently observed in cosmic and laboratory plasmas.Comment: 16 pages, 2 figures, 1 tabl
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