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Scaling of collisionless forced reconnection
X Wang1, A Bhattacharjee, Z W Ma
1Center for Magnetic Reconnection Studies, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|January 22, 2002
Summary
This study analytically determines the reconnection electric field scaling in collisionless plasma. It reveals how reconnection layer length depends on ion skin depth and boundary conditions.
Area of Science:
- Plasma Physics
- Astrophysics
- Space Physics
Background:
- Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental process in plasma physics.
- Understanding reconnection is crucial for phenomena like solar flares and laboratory fusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analytically determine the scaling of the reconnection electric field in a collisionless plasma model.
- To explicitly calculate the dependence of the reconnection layer length on ion skin depth and boundary conditions.
Main Methods:
- Developed an analytical model for forced reconnection in collisionless plasma.
- Utilized Hall magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulations to validate analytical findings.
Main Results:
- Derived the analytical scaling for the reconnection electric field.
- Quantified the explicit dependence of the reconnection layer length on ion skin depth.
- Showed the influence of boundary conditions on the reconnection layer length.
Conclusions:
- The analytical model provides key insights into collisionless magnetic reconnection.
- Results are consistent with Hall MHD simulations, confirming the model's validity.
- Findings contribute to a better understanding of magnetic reconnection dynamics.