Dynamic magnetic reconnection at an X-type neutral point

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Astrophysical Journal; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/185997· OSTI ID:5540876

Craig, I J.D.; Mcclymont, A N ^[1]

---

1. Waikato, University, Hamilton (New Zealand) Hawaii, University, Honolulu (USA)

The relaxation of a two-dimensional 'X-type' neutral point magnetic field disturbed from equilibrium is considered. Perturbations are shown to possess well-defined azimuthal modes which allow an exact determination of the magnetic annihilation rate. Free magnetic energy is dissipated by oscillatory reconnection which couples resistive diffusion at the neutral point to global advection of the outer field. The decay of azimuthally symmetric (m = 0) modes - the only modes associated with topological reconnection - is limited by the dissipation time scale of the 'fundamental' (n = 0) mode with no radial nodes. This mode decays over typically 100 Alfven times. An analytic treatment shows that the oscillation and decay time scales couple according to a given law. 8 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5540876
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (United States) Vol. 371; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
640104* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Solar Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
ATMOSPHERES
DISTURBANCES
ENERGY LOSSES
EQUILIBRIUM
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
LOSSES
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
MAGNETIC STARS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
MECHANICS
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR ATMOSPHERE
SOLAR CORONA
SOLAR FLARES
STARS
STELLAR ACTIVITY
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
STELLAR CORONAE
STELLAR FLARES
SUN