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.     

Simulation of the observed coronal kink instability and its implications for the SDO/AIA

Srivastava et al. (2010) have observed a highly twisted coronal loop, which was anchored in AR10960 during the period 04:43 UT-04:52 UT on 4 June 2007. The loop length and radius are approximately 80 Mm and 4 Mm, with a twist of 11.5 π$\pi$. These observations are used as initial conditions in a three dimensional nonlinear magnetohydrodynamic simulation with parallel thermal conduction included. The initial unstable equilibrium evolves into the kink instability, from which synthetic observables are generated for various high-temperature filters of SDO/AIA. These observables include temporal and spatial averaging to account for the resolution and exposure times of SDO/AIA images. Using the simulation results, we describe the implications of coronal kink instability as observables in SDO/AIA filters.     

初始电流片长宽比对非对称多重X线重联的影响

采用可压缩电阻性磁流体力学模型,研究了初始电流片的长宽比${L_x}$对非对称多重X线磁场重联的影响。研究结果发现,当${L_x}$超过一定的阈值时,非对称磁场重联的演化过程中将伴有多重X线重联发生。进一步地研究结果表明,当${L_x}$越大,多重X线重联就越容易出现,相同时间间隔内所诱发的次级磁岛的尺寸也随之相应变大,不仅如此,次级磁岛的尺寸占整个模拟尺寸的比例也有所增大。对于${L_x}$比较大的情形,当非对称多重X线磁场重联发展到一定程度后,非对称多重X线磁场重联的重联点基本不随时间变化,并且所诱发的大尺度次级磁岛的大小也基本稳定,该结论与Magnetospheric Multiscale （MMS） 观测现象一致。因此这些结果可以用来解释一些卫星观测现象,尤其对空间物理中有关次级磁重联产生的多重X重联的观测有一定指导作用。     

Two-spacecraft observations of reconnection at the magnetopause: Model results and data comparison

We revisit an example of “quasi-steady” magnetic reconnection at the dayside magnetopause on February 11, 1998, observed by Equator-S and Geotail at the dawnside magnetopause. Phan et al. [Phan, T.D. et al., 2000. Extended magnetic reconnection at the Earth’s magnetopause from detection of bi-directional jets. Nature 404, 848–850.] reported oppositely directed jets at these spacecrafts and inferred a length of the reconnection line of about 38R_E. Pinnock et al. [Pinnock, M., Chisham, G., Coleman, I.J., Freeman, M.P., Hairston, M., Villain, J.-P., 2003. The location and rate of dayside reconnection during an interval of southward interplanetary magnetic field. Ann. Geophys. 21, 1467–1482.] used measurements from SuperDARN radars to show that the reconnection electric field was variable. Here we complement this work by obtaining snapshots of the reconnection electric field from the in situ observations. To do this, we apply a reconstruction method based on a model of compressible Petschek-type magnetic reconnection. This independent method uses magnetic field observations as input data to calculate the reconnection electric field. We obtain average values of E_rec in the range of 0.4–2.4 mV/m. Further we infer a distance perpendicular to the reconnection line of 0.4–0.6R_E. The model results are compared with the two studies mentioned above. It thus appears that while the transfer of momentum for this event is indeed large-scale, the actual rate depends on the time it is measured.     

磁云边界层中的复合重联喷流观测分析

太阳风中的磁场重联通常与行星际日冕物质抛射有关.本文分析了1995年10月18日WIND飞船观测到的一例磁云前边界层中的复合重联喷流事件.该复合排空区由相邻两个不同方向的喷流构成,这两个喷流分别经过Walén关系的证认,符合行星际磁场重联排空区等离子体喷流的特征.结果表明,在磁云前端可能存在众多重联点,从而将磁云本体的...     

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.     

电流片的自发重联与无力场──磁岛的形成

采用二维三分量磁流体力学数值模拟方法,研究了线性无力场对电流片的自发重联的影响。结果表明:电流片的背景场(无力场)对重联的拓扑位形有重要的影响,当无力场因子达到一定值时,在模拟区域内出现大范围的磁岛,磁岛厚度随时间的发展而增加,而无力场因子较小时则没有磁岛形成。当无力场因子为零时,即回到普通的位场情形的单x线重联,位场情形磁场拓扑位形与Scholar的结果一致。     

Theoretical model of steady-state magnetic reconnection in collisionless incompressible plasma based on the Grad–Shafranov equation solution

The problem of steady-state magnetic reconnection in an infinite current layer in collisionless, incompressible, nonresistive plasma, except of the electron diffusion region, is examined analytically using the electron Hall magnetohydrodynamics approach. It is found that this approach allows reducing the problem to the magnetic field potential finding, while last one has to satisfy the Grad–Shafranov equation. The obtained solution demonstrates all essential Hall reconnection features, namely proton acceleration up to Alfvén velocities, the forming of Hall current systems and the magnetic field structure expected. It turns out that the necessary condition of steady-state reconnection to exist is an electric field potential jump across the electron diffusion region and the separatrices. Besides, the powerful mechanism of electron acceleration in X-line direction is required. It must accelerate electrons up to the electron Alfvén velocity inside the diffusion region and on the separatrixes. This is a necessary condition for steady-state reconnection as well.     

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。     

空间等离子体压力各向异性对磁场重联的影响

基于二维时变可压缩磁流体动力学模拟,数值研究了等离子体压力各向异性对磁场重联的影响,发现一个小的压力各向异性(P_⊥=1.02P_//)即可大大加速磁场重联的发展,这可能是由于磁镜不稳定性与撕裂模不稳定性共同起作用.在P_⊥P_//的情况下,撕裂模受到抑制,电流片中不能形成大型磁岛.     

On the motions of RHESSI flare footpoints

The footpoint motions of flare hard X-ray (HXR) sources are directly related to the reconnection scenario of a solar flare. In this work, we tried to extract the information of footpoint motions for a number of flares observed with RHESSI. We found that the RHESSI flare results of the footpoint motions strongly support the classification proposed from the observations of YOHKOH/HXT. Furthermore, it is found that a flare can consist of two types of footpoint motions. We discussed the connections of the footpoint motions with the two-dimensional reconnection models.     

各向异性等离子体中磁场重联的混合模拟研究

应用二维三分量混合模拟方法数值研究了各向异性等离子体中的磁场重联过程.计算结果表明,当等离子体垂直于磁场方向的压强大于平行方向的压强时（P_⊥/P_∥=1.5）,等离子体不稳定性的增长率会大大增强,重联速度也会加快;当等离子体垂直方向的压强小于平行方向的压强时（P_⊥/P_∥=0.6）,会出现火蛇管不稳定性,将抑制撕裂模不稳定性和磁场重联过程.     

三维非线性撕裂模耦合和快速磁场重联

基于三维不可压缩电阻性ＭＨＤ方程，在长柱形位型下，数值研究了电阻撕裂模不稳定性所引起的磁场重联过程。研究结果表明，撕裂模的非线性相互作用和耦合，将产生许多模式的强裂解稳和导致快速的磁场重联。这一过程的进一步发展，导致具有螺旋形结构，不同模式的磁岛磁力线重叠，从而引起较大区域内的磁场各态经历和磁力线随机走向，形成撕裂模端动。     

磁重联区 Alfven波及新生离子的加速

利用二维混合数值模拟研究了有速度驱动、低等离子体β值情况下的磁场重联过程,结果表明磁重联过程可以产生Alfven波,该Alfven波动对重新区中的新生离子作用,使得新生离子经历投掷角散射方程,具有球壳分布特征,部分新生离子得到加速,其获得的最大能量约为4（miVA0^2/2),此加速过程所需的加速时间在100／Ωi量级,是一个极快的加速机制,加速粒子能谱为双幂律谱。     

各向异性等离子体多重电流片的演化

应用二维三分量磁流体动力学方程组模拟,数值研究了压力各向异性等离子体周期多重电流片的演化.发现在β<<1时,微弱的各向异性仅仅使电流片中磁场重联的速度加快.而当β≈1(即热压与磁压相当时),微弱的垂直各向异性(P_┴>P_//)不仅大大加速了磁场重联的速度,还使重联位置发生显著变化.初始反对称的磁场重联位形逐步转化为对称的磁场位形,进而再演化为与初始反相的反对称磁场位形.场向各向异性(P_┴<P_//)和强的垂直各向异性都导致不稳定性增长率成倍增加.但在场向各向异性下磁场位形基本不变,只在电流片中心出现不规则扰动.同样参数下各向异性等离子体多重电流片中磁场重联形成的磁岛比各向同性多层电流片要小.