Naslov
Instability of the Sweet-Parker-like current layer

Autori
Skender, Marina ; Lapenta, Giovanni

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), znanstveni

Skup
International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy, 2nd Symposium: Solar Wind - Space Environment Interaction

Mjesto i datum
Kairo, Egipat, 04.12.2009. - 08.12.2009

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Pozvano predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
quasiequlibrium current sheet, impulsive bursty reconnection, tearing-mode instability, aspect ratio
(quasiequilibrium current sheet, impulsive bursty reconnection, tearing-mode instability, aspect ratio)

Sažetak
A two−dimensional reconnecting current sheet is studied numerically in magnetohydrodynamics approach with the aim of getting more insight on the nature of the instability taking place. At studied value of Lundquist number S=10^4 and Reynolds number R=10^4 a Sweet–Parker–like current sheet is observed to form, followed by the fragmentation, which leads to the fast reconnection. The Sweet–Parker–like current sheet does not reach the stationary state characteristic of the Sweet–Parker reconnection. Rather, it evolves very slowly and is therefore identified as a quasiequilibrium current sheet. It has increasing ratio of the length and width (aspect ratio) whose maximum is found to correspond with the detected fragmentation. This qualitative scenario is confirmed for the simulations with the initial Harris and force–free equilibria applied, for the periodic and open–boundary conditions with uniform and non–uniform grid prescribed, respectively, and for varying sizes of the numerical system.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Fizika

POVEZANOST RADA