The structure of reconnection layers: Application to the earth's magnetopause

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA094iA01p00287· OSTI ID:5994872

Biernat, H K; Heyn, M F; Rijnbeek, R P ^[1]; Semenov, V S ^[2]; Farrugia, C J ^[3]

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1. Oesterreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Graz (Austria)
2. Leningrad State Univ. (USSR)
3. Imperial Coll., London (England)

Using ideal magnetohydrodynamics, the structure of the reconnection layer in the Petschek reconnection model has been analyzed as a function of inflow parameters by Heyn et al. (1988). The authors examine the application of this analysis to conditions which are appropriate to the Earth's magnetopause. For non-antiparallel magnetic field configurations, the field rotation from one inflow region to the other is achieved through two Alfven waves bounding the reconnection layer, although the rotation on the magnetosheath edge is much stronger. Slow shocks or slow expansion waves are needed in addition in order to form a match between the field strengths, and their appearance and strength depends on the degree of asymmetry of the inflow region parameters. Tangential velocities in the inflow regions give rise to a structure of the reconnection layer which is different above and below the reconnection line. In the presence of these tangential velocities, the Kelvin-Helmholtz stability of the magnetopause needs to be considered. If a region of the magnetopause is Kelvin-Helmholtz unstable, it is possible that Petschek-type reconnection is prevented from occurring in this region. Thus they can place constraints on the occurrence of Petschek reconnection.

• OSTI ID: 5994872
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 94:A1; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661320* -- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALFVEN WAVES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
FLUID MECHANICS
HELMHOLTZ INSTABILITY
HYDRODYNAMICS
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
INSTABILITY
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETOPAUSE
MAGNETOTAIL
MECHANICS
MOTION
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
ROTATION
SHOCK WAVES