Petschek-like reconnection with uniform resistivity

Journal Article · Mon Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 2009 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3155087· OSTI ID:21277204

Baty, H ^[1]; Priest, E R ^[2]; Forbes, T G ^[3]

---

1. Observatoire Astronomique de Strasbourg, 11, Rue de l'Universite, 67000 Strasbourg (France)
2. Institute of Mathematics, University of St. Andrews, Fife KY169SS, Scotland (United Kingdom)
3. Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824 (United States)

Using two-dimensional time dependent viscoresistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations, we report for the first time the existence of fast stationary magnetic reconnection with a spatially uniform plasma resistivity. This is achieved through the use of a nonuniform well tailored viscosity profile, following requirements deduced by Baty et al. [Phys. Plasmas 16, 012102 (2009)]. The quasisteady state exhibits the global features of a classical Petschek solution, with two pairs of standing slow-mode shocks attached to a central diffusion region and a fast-mode expansion of the inflowing plasma. The diffusion region is however influenced by the viscosity with a two-component structure, and the reconnection rate is observed to be slightly higher than nonviscous nonuniform resistive reconnection.

• OSTI ID: 21277204
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 16; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
DIFFUSION
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
PLASMA SIMULATION
SHOCK WAVES
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
VISCOSITY