A Model for Spontaneous Onset of Fast Magnetic Reconnection

Details A Model for Spontaneous Onset of Fast Magnetic Reconnection A Model for Spontaneous Onset of Fast Magnetic Reconnection

2006-03-31

arxiv.org/abs/physics/0604001v1

Physics

Plasma Physics

11 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Astrophysical Journal Letters

Scientific paper

10.1086/505690

We present a model for the spontaneous onset of fast magnetic reconnection in a weakly collisional plasma, such as the solar corona. When a current layer of macroscopic width undergoes collisional (Sweet-Parker) reconnection, a narrow dissipation region forms around the X-line. This dissipation region naturally becomes narrower during the reconnection process as stronger magnetic fields are convected toward the X-line. When the dissipation region becomes thinner than the ion skin depth, resistive magnetohydrodynamics breaks down as the Hall effect becomes important and the Sweet-Parker solution ceases to exist. A transition to collisionless (Hall) reconnection ensues, increasing the reconnection rate by many orders of magnitude in a very short time. Predictions of the model are consistent with constraints set by observations of solar flares.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

A Model for Spontaneous Onset of Fast Magnetic Reconnection 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 A Model for Spontaneous Onset of Fast Magnetic Reconnection, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A Model for Spontaneous Onset of Fast Magnetic Reconnection will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-375116