Structure of reconnection layer with a shear flow perpendicular to the antiparallel magnetic field component

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2005 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1826096· OSTI ID:20657949

Xiaoxia, Sun; Yu, Lin; Xiaogang, Wang ^[1]

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1. State Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024 (China)

A one-dimensional resistive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation of the Riemann problem is carried out for the structure of reconnection layer, i.e., outflow region of quasisteady magnetic reconnection, in the presence of a sheared flow tangential to the initial current (J{sub y}) sheet. Unlike previous studies, the shear flow is in the y direction, perpendicular to the antiparallel component of the magnetic field B{sub z}, with a total change of flow {delta}V{sub y}{ne}0 across the current sheet. Cases with symmetric or asymmetric current sheet and various guide magnetic fields B{sub y} are investigated. The simulation shows that in the reconnection layer, the structure of MHD discontinuities changes significantly with the strength of the shear flow. The main findings are the following: (1) In the case initially with a zero guide field (B{sub y}=0, for the so-called 'antiparallel reconnection'), the shear flow in V{sub y} produces a finite B{sub y} in the reconnection layer and two time-dependent intermediate shocks with rotation angle of tangential magnetic field less than 180 deg. (2) For initial B{sub y}{ne}0 (the 'component reconnection') the sheared V{sub y} leads to very different magnetic field structures in the two outflow regions on the two sides of the X line. (3) In the cases with the initial B{sub y}{ne}0, the existence of the sheared V{sub y} can lead to the reversal of the rotation sense of tangential magnetic field through the reconnection layer. The critical value of {delta}V{sub y} for the occurrence of this field reversal is discussed. The general simulation results can be applied to space and laboratory plasmas.

• OSTI ID: 20657949
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 12; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
PLASMA
PLASMA SIMULATION
SHEAR
SHOCK WAVES