Physics
Scientific paper
Aug 1987
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1987jgr....92.8621s&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research (ISSN 0148-0227), vol. 92, Aug. 1, 1987, p. 8621-8633.
Physics
14
Boundary Layer Plasmas, Incompressible Flow, Magnetic Field Reconnection, Magnetohydrodynamic Waves, Space Plasmas, Boundary Layer Equations, Similarity Theorem
Scientific paper
The incompressible MHD equations with nonvanishing viscosity and resistivity are simplified by use of the boundary layer approximation to describe the flow and magnetic field in the exit flow regions of magnetic field reconnection configurations when the reconnection rate is small. The conditions are derived under which self-similar solutions exist of the resulting boundary layer equations. For the case of zero viscosity and resistivity, the equations describing such self-similar layers are then solved in terms of quadratures, and the resulting flow and field configurations are described. Symmetric solutions, relevant, for example, to reconnection in the geomagnetic tail, as well as asymmetric solutions, relevant to reconnection at the earth's magnetopause, are found to exist. The nature of the external solutions to which the boundary layer solutions should be matched is discussed briefly, but the actual matching, which is to occur at Alfven-wave characteristic curves in the boundary layer solutions, is not carried out. Finally, it is argued that the solutions obtained may also be used to describe the structure of the intense vortex layers observed to occur at magnetic separatrices in computer simulations and in certain analytical models of the reconnection process.
Sonnerup Bengt U. Ö.
Wang Du-Juan
No associations
LandOfFree
Structure of reconnection boundary layers in incompressible MHD 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 Structure of reconnection boundary layers in incompressible MHD, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Structure of reconnection boundary layers in incompressible MHD will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1341517