Two-fluid theory of collisionless magnetic reconnection

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.872211· OSTI ID:527870

Biskamp, D; Schwarz, E ^[1]; Drake, J F ^[2]

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1. Max-Planck-Institut fuer Plasmaphysik, 85748 Garching (Germany)
2. Institute for Plasma Research, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742 (United States)

Theoretical studies of collisionless reconnection in the framework of two-fluid theory are presented. In the high-{beta} case ({beta}{approx_gt}1) reconnection is controlled by the whistler mode, leading to decoupling of ions from electrons on scales {lt}c/{omega}{sub pi}. Though reconnection requires electron inertia, the reconnection rate is independent thereof, controlled only by ion inertia. Reconnection is hence much faster than in the absence of the Hall term. In the opposite limit of small {beta} the strong axial field suppresses the whistler mode. Hence ions have to follow the electrons in the narrow reconnection layer {delta}{approximately}c/{omega}{sub pe}, forming a macroscopic current sheet which strongly reduces the reconnection rate. Theoretical scaling laws are confirmed by numerical simulations. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 527870
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 4; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
FLUID MECHANICS
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PLASMA SIMULATION
PLASMA WAVES
SCALING LAWS
WHISTLERS