Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008agufmsm31a1688f&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2008, abstract #SM31A-1688
Physics
2723 Magnetic Reconnection (7526, 7835), 2753 Numerical Modeling, 7524 Magnetic Fields, 7526 Magnetic Reconnection (2723, 7835)
Scientific paper
The formation of secondary magnetic islands in electron current layers is well-documented by 2-D full particle simulations of magnetic reconnection and by observational data in the magnetotail and magnetopause. However, the dynamics of these magnetic islands in very large-scale current layers, such as those in the corona or the magnetopause, are not yet well-understood. To retain the small-scale physics of particle-in- cell codes in these large-scale systems, a statistical model is developed. The island distribution is characterized by two independent parameters: the flux ψ contained in the island and the area A enclosed by it. An evolution equation for this distribution function is derived, based on rules (verified by PIC simulations) which govern the small-scale generation of secondary islands, the rates of island growth, and island merging. The steady state distribution of islands reveals that the largest islands, which result from multiple mergers, contain distinctly reduced magnetic fields compared with the ambient value. The distribution of islands is used to predict observable quantities such as the maximum island size, typical magnetic field strengths, and power laws. These predictions are compared with observations from magnetospheric satellites such as THEMIS.
Drake James F.
Fermo R. L.
Swisdak Michael
No associations
LandOfFree
A Statistical Model of Reconnecting Magnetic Islands in a Current Layer 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 Statistical Model of Reconnecting Magnetic Islands in a Current Layer, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A Statistical Model of Reconnecting Magnetic Islands in a Current Layer will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1095319