Physics – Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
Mar 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011jgra..11603227n&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 116, Issue A3, CiteID A03227
Physics
Plasma Physics
2
Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetopause And Boundary Layers, Magnetospheric Physics: Solar Wind/Magnetosphere Interactions, Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetic Reconnection (7526, 7835), Space Plasma Physics: Transport Processes, Space Plasma Physics: Particle Acceleration
Scientific paper
We have performed 2.5-dimensional full particle simulations of an MHD-scale Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) vortex and accompanying magnetic reconnection. This is the first study of so-called vortex-induced reconnection (VIR) using kinetic simulations. First, as a key property of the VIR, we found that magnetic reconnection occurs at multiple points in the current sheet compressed by the flow of the KH vortex. The resulting multiple mesoscale islands are carried toward the vortex body along the vortex flow and then are incorporated into the vortex body via re-reconnection. The rates of the first reconnection and second re-reconnection are both generally higher than that of spontaneous reconnection; both reconnection processes are of driven nature. Noteworthy is that the high rate of the first reconnection leads to strong magnetic field pileup within the multiple islands. This characteristic magnetic structure of the islands could be used as new observational evidence for the occurrence of the VIR. Next, as a key kinetic aspect of the VIR, we found that a series of the multiple island formation and incorporation processes causes efficient plasma mixing in real space and bidirectional magnetic field-aligned acceleration of electrons simultaneously within the vortex. These kinetic effects of the VIR could account for observed features of the Earth's low-latitude boundary layer, where mixed ions and bidirectional field-aligned electrons generally coexist.
Fujimoto Minoru
Hasegawa Hidenao
Nakamura Takuma K. M.
Shinohara Iku
No associations
LandOfFree
Evolution of an MHD-scale Kelvin-Helmholtz vortex accompanied by magnetic reconnection: Two-dimensional particle simulations 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 Evolution of an MHD-scale Kelvin-Helmholtz vortex accompanied by magnetic reconnection: Two-dimensional particle simulations, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Evolution of an MHD-scale Kelvin-Helmholtz vortex accompanied by magnetic reconnection: Two-dimensional particle simulations will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-865359