Physics – Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
Feb 1977
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1977apjs...33..189c&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, vol. 33, Feb. 1977, p. 189-210.
Physics
Plasma Physics
51
Collisionless Plasmas, Cosmic Plasma, Magnetic Field Reconnection, Magnetic Fields, Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence, Plasma Physics, Earth Magnetosphere, Ion Acoustic Waves, Lines Of Force, Neutral Sheets
Scientific paper
A reasonably consistent model of steady-state magnetic-field-line reconnection in a collisionless plasma is constructed by incorporating ion-acoustic anomalous resistance into the hydromagnetic flow in the vicinity of the x-type neutral line. The Petschek-Vasyliunas (1975) reconnection theory is applied, and properties of the ion-acoustic instability are reviewed for the case of comparable ion and electron temperatures. Nonlinear saturation of the instability is examined, the saturation wave intensity is determined as a function of electron drift speed and electron/ion temperature ratio, and the computed wave intensities are used to estimate the steady electric field in the neutral region. Ion-acoustic anomalous resistance is shown to limit the electron drift speed to slightly above the marginally stable value. A model for the resistive-diffusion region is constructed which incorporates the properties of ion-acoustic anomalous resistance, and an approximate solution for the external flow region is matched to the resistive-region solution. It is found that the two solutions are sensibly matched only for a restricted range of upstream plasma parameters. Limitations and possible extensions of the model are discussed.
Coroniti Ferdinan V.
Eviatar Aharon
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