Physics – Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
Nov 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009aps..dppnm9008l&link_type=abstract
American Physical Society, 51st Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Plasma Physics, November 2-6, 2009, abstract #NM9.008
Physics
Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
Relativistic plasma physics plays an essential role in a number of famous and longstanding astrophysical problems. Using the ultrafast code VPIC, we present one of the largest scale 3D particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations to date to examine relativistic magnetic reconnection in pair plasmas. These simulations are large enough to accommodate a sufficient number of kink modes. It is demonstrated that multiple, patchy reconnection sites form during the initial stage and then self-organize to form an elongated diffusion region with increased system size. The secondary kinking folds the current sheet in the orthogonal direction. The interaction between kink and tearing instabilities results in plasmoids, which affect the particle acceleration and reconnection rate. The reconnection rate remains fast and time varying. The relativistic effects increase the linear kink mode wavelengths and results in almost identical growth rates for initial linear kink and tearing modes. Relativistic drift kink instability, reconnection, folding of the diffusion region due to the secondary kink and plasmoids all contribute to the particle energization.
Albright Brian
Bowers Kevin
Li Hui
Liang Edison
Liu Wei
No associations
LandOfFree
3D Magnetic Reconnection of Relativistic Pair Plasmas does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with 3D Magnetic Reconnection of Relativistic Pair Plasmas, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and 3D Magnetic Reconnection of Relativistic Pair Plasmas will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1536574