Study of three dimensional structure of the fast convection flow in the plasma sheet by MHD simulations on the basis of spontaneous fast reconnection model

Three dimensional structure of the fast convection flow in the plasma sheet is examined using magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations on the basis of spontaneous fast reconnection model. The fast flow observed in the near-Earth magnetotail is one of the key phenomena in order to understand the causal relationship between magnetic substorm and magnetic reconnection. In this paper, we focus on this earthward fast flow in the near-Earth magnetotail. Our previous studies have shown that the fast reconnection produces the Alfvénic fast reconnection outflow and drastic magnetic field dipolarization in the finite extent. In this paper, the results of our simulations are compared with those of the in-situ observations in the geomagnetotail. They have consistent temporal profiles of the plasma quantities. It is suggested that the fast convection flows are caused by spontaneous fast reconnection.     

Three-dimensional magnetic reconnection regimes: A review

The magnetic field in many astrophysical plasmas – such as the solar corona and Earth’s magnetosphere – has been shown to have a highly complex, three-dimensional structure. Recent advances in theory and computational simulations have shown that reconnection in these fields also has a three-dimensional nature, in contrast to the widely used two-dimensional (or 2.5-dimensional) models. Here we discuss the underlying theory of three-dimensional magnetic reconnection. We also review a selection of new models that illustrate the current state of the art, as well as highlighting the complexity of energy release processes mediated by reconnection in complicated three-dimensional magnetic fields.     

行星际磁场北向时磁层顶区磁场重联的全球模式

在对背阳面磁层顶区局域磁场重联模拟的基础上提出了一个行星际磁场北向时磁层顶磁场重联的全球模式。行星际磁场北向时碰层顶磁场重联导致近地尾瓣的能量被输送到远磁尾,太阳风能量不在磁尾储存,向阳面磁层顶变厚,磁层受到一系列扰动。      

Magnetic fluxtube reconnection

We present the results of 3D numerical simulations of initially discrete magnetic fluxtubes interacting via magnetic reconnection. The initial topology consists of two orthogonal fluxtubes. Each fluxtube has a uniform twist, force-free magnetic field specified by the Gold-Hoyle model. The fluxtubes are then forced together by an initial flow configuration consisting of two superimposed stagnation point flows. We observe three distinct types of interaction, which depend on the twist and on the Lundquist numbers, between the fluxtubes. For low twist the fluxtubes experience an elastic collision. For a higher twist complete reconnection is observed. If the Lundquist numbers are raised fluxtube tunneling occurs.     

太阳表面水平运动驱动的磁圈与开放磁场重联的模拟研究

太阳大气的诸多观测事件(如耀斑、喷流等)均被归因于磁重联产生的能量转换. 近年来, 关于太阳风起源, 有研究提出了磁重联使闭合磁圈开放为太阳风供应物质的新模式. 在该模式中, 闭合磁圈被光球超米粒组织对流携带, 向超米粒边界运动, 与位于边界的开放磁场相碰撞进而发生磁重联. 该模式中磁重联的驱动及其效应是本文的研究目标. 磁流体力学(MHD)数值模拟是研究太阳大气磁重联物理过程的重要途径. 本文建立了一个二维MHD数值模型, 结合太阳大气温度和密度的分层分布, 在超米粒组织尺度上模拟了水平流动驱动的闭合磁圈与开放磁场的重联过程. 通过对模拟结果的定量分析, 认为磁重联确实能够将闭合磁圈的物质释放, 进而供应给新的开放磁结构并产生向上流动. 该结果为进一步模拟研究太阳风初始外流奠定了基础.      

无力场的触发重联和太阳耀斑

采用多步隐格式,对在瞬间形成的电流片的触发下的高剪切无力场的磁重联过程进行了数值模拟。磁重联首先在交界面处的非中性电流片区出现,然后向无力场区蔓延。在磁重联过程中,在无力场区形成一高温环状结构,物质向光球层流动。在高温环内侧的新喷发场区,物质向上流动。磁重联主要集中在初始电流片外侧的高剪切无力场区,高温环顶部的温度最高,位置基本固定。在磁重联的过程中,剪切磁场分量的空间梯度减小,无力场因子下降。     

Interconnection of high-latitude and low-latitude boundary layers when IMF BY is dominant

The antiparallel merging model places the location of the reconnection region for a dominant interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) B_Y at high latitudes at the dayside magnetopause and predicts that the low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL) is located on open field lines of the magnetospheric flanks. Interball-1 data obtained in the wide local time range near the low-latitude magnetopause makes it possible to analyze the LLBL plasma population and to find a link between possible reconnection at high latitudes and LLBL occurrence. We found that no boundary layer was observed in the regions which have no topological connection with the merging site. All cases of LLBL observations are located downstream from a specific boundary. This boundary coincides with the first magnetospheric field line touching the reconnection region and can be located in a wide local time region depending on the instant IMF direction. Even the LLBL on closed field lines shows the tendency to be concentrated in the vicinity of this boundary. Thus we show that all types of observed LLBLs are linked to reconnection sites predicted by the antiparallel merging model.     

Magnetic flux expulsion as an acceleration mechanism for stellar winds

Observations of the Sun show that magnetic flux is emerging through the surface in small scales in rather copious amounts. In order to maintain a steady state field strength, this flux must either be locally dissipated or explelled or both. We believe that magnetic reconnection and subsequent flux explusion is the most effective manner in which to achieve this. If new flux emerges into an already preexisting coronal magnetic field, the ambient field must be pushed aside to allow room for the new flux. If the ambient field strength decreases outward with radial distance as is expected for all stars, it may pinch off the emerging flux through magnetic reconnection and expell it outward. The net force on an isolated diamagnetic plasmoid produced by this process is shown to assume a particularly simple form, depending only on the plasmoid's mass, its temperature, and the radial gradient of the logarithm of the undisturbed magnetic pressure. If a sufficient number of these magnetic elements are produced per unit time, this process translates to a net outward magnetic force on the coronal plasma which can be greater that the gas pressure force. Thus, a stellar wind can be produced by magnetic forces alone without the need for a high coronal gas pressure — a mechanism which could be effective in explaining why stars, such as the late-type giants, which possess cool coronae nevertheless exhibit vigorous coronal expansions.     

Reconnection in multiple current sheet configurations in the solar corona

We investigate magnetic reconnection in a multiple current sheet configuration by means of three-dimensional resistive MHD simulations. This configuration might be of interest in the solar corona context, e.g. for coronal helmet streamers. We present results of our simulations of the linear and nonlinear development of the tearing mode instability. In particular, we highlight the changes in magnetic topology and the resulting plasma dynamics. Our results indicate that reconnection in complex coronal neighboring magnetic flux systems efficiently converts magnetic field energy into thermal energy and leads to small-scale tongue outflows rather than large-scale coronal mass ejections.     

磁场重联中的哨声波与Hall效应

数值研究Hall电流效应对于重联动力学特征及波动特性的影响.结果表明,具有强Hall效应的算例,重联出流区张角大,重联率高.对于不同Hall效应的算例,应用快速傅里叶变换(FFT),将平面外磁场By分量和(x,z)平面内的速度分量vx,vz位于给定点的时间序列转换为功率谱,并对电场E采用最小方差分析法,确定波的传播方向与偏振特性.研究发现,在强Hall效应的算例中,磁分界线附近存在具有典型特征的哨声波,Hall效应减弱,则波动信号减弱.上述结果表明,Hall电流效应对重联动力学特征具有重要影响,是产生哨声波和快速重联率的关键因素;此外,对于强Hall效应的算例,磁分界线附近哨声波幅度与平面内场向电流Jp间存在正相关关系,它从另一个侧面展示了哨声波与Hall效应间的重要联系.      

Solutions of the hydromagnetic equation with magnetic null points

Numerical simulations of magnetic reconnection with uniform resistivity show that the length of the current sheet increases for increasing magnetic Reynolds number. In order to prevent the current sheet from growing in general the resistivity is assumed to be localized. For uniform resistivity the reconnection proceeds much slower than for localized resistivity. In this paper analytical solutions of the hydromagnetic equation are presented for localized and uniform resistivity. It is shown that there exists an essential singularity in the behaviour of a solution of magnetic reconnection in the limit of large magnetic Reynolds number: For prescribed boundary conditions the solution for localized resistivity does not approach the solution for uniform resistivity in the limit of large magnetic Reynolds number.     

地球磁场对太阳风扰动响应的研究

分别对行星际激波、太阳风动压增大事件和减小事件的地球磁场响应进行了比较. 分析结果表明, 同步轨道磁场对太阳风扰动在向阳面产生较强的正响应, 在背阳面 响应较弱且有时会出现负响应, 地磁指数SYM-H对太阳风扰动的响应为正响应. 同时还得出, 向阳侧同步轨道磁场响应幅度d Bz与地磁指数响应幅度d SYM-H、上下游动压均方差均具有较好的相关性. 地磁指数响应幅度与同步轨道磁场响应幅度相关关系在激波和动压增大事件中具有一致性, 动压减小事件出 现明显差异, 这说明激波和动压增大事件在影响地球磁场方面具有某种共性.      

磁云边界层中的重联慢激波观测分析

在Petschek模型中，排空区边界处的一对慢激波是能量耗散的重要机制.已有大量行星际空间的Petschek型磁场重联排空区观测事件被报道，但是只有少量的排空区边界处观测到了慢激波.针对一例位于磁云边界层中的Petschek型磁场重联排空区观测事件，在排空区靠近磁云一侧边界处证认了一例慢激波.激波跃变层两侧的磁场和等离子体参数满足Rankine-Hugoniot关系，且激波上下游的中间马赫数均小于1，上游的慢马赫数为2.94（>1），下游的慢马赫数为0.65（<1），符合慢激波的观测特征.磁云内部的等离子体β值很低，局地阿尔芬速度高，同时磁云边界层中可能发生丰富的磁场重联活动，这可能是磁云前边界处慢激波形成的原因.      

基于能量色散特征计算磁层顶重联位置的方法研究

磁层顶磁场重联是太阳风向磁层输入能量的主要方式.重联如何触发一直是空间物理研究的难点,其机制仍然有待深入研究.由于卫星穿越磁层顶时,很难恰好穿越重联发生的区域,因此难以观测到重联的触发条件.本文利用THEMIS卫星观测,确立了反演磁层顶重联点的方法.当重联刚开始发生时,卫星能够观测到离子的能量色散特征,可利用其计算卫星到重联发生位置的距离.沿着磁力线模型追踪该距离即可反演出磁层顶发生重联的位置.与其他方法进行了对比分析,结果显示本文方法比其他方法具有更高的精度.      

The role of magnetic field shear in solar flares

We present observational results and their physical implications garnered from the deliberations of the FBS Magnetic Shear Study Group on magnetic field shear in relation to flares. The observed character of magnetic shear and its involvement in the buildup and release of flare energy are reviewed and illustrated with emphasis on recent results from the Marshall Space Flight Center vector magnetograph. It is pointed out that the magnetic field in active regions can become sheared by several processes, including shear flow in the photosphere, flux emergence, magnetic reconnection, and flux submergence. Modeling studies of the buildup of stored magnetic energy by shearing are reported which show ample energy storage for flares. Observational evidence is presented that flares are triggered when the field shear reaches a critical degree, in qualitative agreement with some theoretical analyses of sheared force-free fields. Finally, a scenario is outlined for the class of flares resulting from large-scale magnetic shear; the overall instability driving the energy release results from positive feedback between reconnection and eruption of the sheared field.     

Generation mechanism of the whistler-mode waves in the plasma sheet prior to magnetic reconnection

The whistler-mode waves and electron temperature anisotropy play a key role prior to and during magnetic reconnection. On August 21, 2002, the Cluster spacecrafts encountered a quasi-collisionless magnetic reconnection event when they crossed the plasma sheet. Prior to the southward turning of magnetospheric magnetic field and high speed ion flow, the whistler-mode waves and positive electron temperature anisotropy are simultaneously observed. Theoretic analysis shows that the electrons with positive temperature anisotropy can excite the whistler-mode waves via cyclotron resonances. Using the data of particles and magnetic field, we estimated the whistler-mode wave growth rate and the ratio of whistler-mode growth rate to wave frequency. They are 0.0016f_ce (Electron cyclotron frequency) and 0.0086f_ce, respectively. Therefore the whistler-mode waves can grow quickly in the current sheet. The combined observations of energetic electron beams and waves show that after the southward turning of magnetic field, energetic electrons in the reconnection process are accelerated by the whistler-mode waves.     

Magnetic reconnection in solar flares and corresponding radio bursts

The 2D MHD model of the flare magnetic reconnection shows that a reconnection activity, changes of the magnetic field topology and generation of waves are connected. It is found that after the phase of a quasi-stationary reconnection in the extended current sheet above the flare arcade the tearing mode instability produces the plasmoids which then can interact and generate MHD waves. Results of particle-in-cell simulations of the tearing processes, which accelerate electrons, are mentioned. Then all these processes are discussed from the point of view of possible radio emissions. While shocks can contribute to the type II radio burst, the superthermal electrons trapped in plasmoids can generate so called drifting pulsating structures. Furthermore, regions with the MHD turbulence may manifest themselves as the lace or dm-spike bursts.     

等离子体彗尾动力学的数值研究

本文基于可压缩磁流体动力学模型,数值研究了尾瓣巾具有超Alfven速流动的等离子体彗尾的动力学特征。结果表明,等离子体片和尾瓣之间的剪切等离子体流动将会激发流动撕裂模不稳定性,引起彗尾等离子体片中发生磁场重联,形成磁岛和高密度的等离子体团。进而模拟了太阳风引起的局部驱动力对等离子体彗尾中磁场重联的影响,其特征时间远大于流动撕裂模。我们认为一些观测到的等离子体彗尾中的四块和彗尾截断事件可能主要与彗尾中剪切等离子体流动所引起的流动撕裂模不稳定性有关。      

Diamagnetic aspects of the coronal transient phenomenon

If a magnetic structure emerges into the solar atmosphere containing a preexisting magnetic field, the preexisting field must be moved aside to allow space for the emerging flux. Under these conditions, provided the ambient field strength decreases outward with radial distance, the ambient field may tend to pinch off the emerging field through magnetic reconnection and expell it outward. Here, a model is developed to demonstrate this effect and to evaluate its relevance to the coronal transient phenomenon. In particular, we argue that, if magnetic reconnection can be initiated in such a configuration, the upward force produced by the ambient field is enhanced and, depending upon the internal conditions of the configuration, a coronal transient could be initiated in this manner.     

Magnetic reconnection configurations and particle acceleration in solar flares

Numerical simulations of two types of flares indicate that magnetic reconnection can provide environments favorable for various particle acceleration mechanisms to work. This paper reviews recent test particle simulations of DC electric field mechanism, and discusses how the flare particles can escape into the interplanetary space under different magnetic configurations.