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.      

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.     

AMPTE observations of steady-state reconnection at the dayside magnetopause

Since the introduction of magnetic reconnection into magnetospheric physics by Dungey /1/, the argument over its existence at the dayside magnetopause has raged back - and - forth. Much indirect evidence for dayside reconnection has been compiled. For example, the dependence of magnetospheric processes on the IMF Bz component /2/ and IMF control of energetic solar particle access to the polar cap /3/. However, analysis of IMP6 /4/ and HEOS2 data /5/ failed to find any evidence of high speed ion flows at the magnetopause, an expected signature of magnetic reconnection /6/. It was thus left to the ISEE - 1 and - 2 spacecraft to provide the most powerful evidence for the existence of dayside reconnection. In particular, the observations of high speed plasma flows /7/, which have been shown to be consistent with reconnection models /8/, provide strong evidence. Recently, observations from the AMPTE spacecraft provide further evidence for steady - state reconnection and promise to further our knowledge of the reconnection process.     

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.     

2.5维自适应磁场重联MHD模式

磁雷诺数(R_m)是影响磁场重联的重要因素. 真实的物理环境中R_m往往很高, 例如, 在行星际空间和太阳日冕中R_m通常大于104量级. 高R_m条件下的磁重联表现出很多异常特性, 然而高R_m条件下的磁场重联数值模拟需要很高的时空分辨率, 否则很难分辨出重联过程中形成的薄电流片. 本文基于自适应软件包PARAMESH将并行自适应网格技术引入磁场重联数值模拟, 建立了一个2.5维自适应磁场重联MHD模式, 研究高磁雷诺数条件下重联的动态演化过程, 进而将不同磁雷诺数的参数进行对比研究. 结果表明, 该模式可以自动捕捉到磁场重联产生的奇性电流片, 高磁雷诺数条件下产生的慢激波结构可提供一种快速磁能释放机制.      

Global MHD simulations for southward IMF: a pair of wings in the flanks

Global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations have shown that for southward interplanetary magnetic field nightside reconnection takes place only in a limited spatial scale in the cross-tail direction. Between the end of the nightside reconnection line and the flank magnetopause are regions of closed magnetic field lines which move relatively slowly tailward, compared with the magnetosheath flow on the far side and the jet flow produced by nightside reconnection on the side closer to the midnight. The magetosphere appears to have a pair of extended wings on the nightside. Further refinement of the simulations shows that the wings are not produced by the numerical effects. Similar features have been observed previously and also shown in different simulation models. The existence of the wings in the simulations indicates that the solar wind momentum is transferred to the closed magnetosphere if the simulations are relevant to reality.     

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.     

太阳风中磁场重联离子扩散区的大尺度特征

利用ACE和WIND卫星2007年1月6日的联合探测, 在1AU附近发现了一个等离子体密度极低的Petschek-like重联喷流区. 该喷流区内部出现了非常明显的Hall双极磁场、等离子体密度下降区以及与Hall电流相符的低能段电子投掷角分布. 这些特征与重联离子扩散区的Hall效应非常吻合, 说明很可能在太阳风中观测到了一个离子扩散区. 分析表明, 与之相关的磁场重联为准稳态快速完全反向重联, 其扩散区以一对慢模波为边界, 空间尺度达到80个离子惯性长度, 表现出了大尺度重联的特征.      

Reconnection active layers

The analysis presented shows that the classical model of non-linear magnetic field line reconnection changes considerably in the presence of sheared magnetic fields and/or high tangential plasma flow components. This shear excites large amplitude Alfvén waves on both sides of the reconnection layer where the magnetic field is rotated to a common direction within the layer. In addition two slow shock (or rarefaction) waves within the reconnection layer are necessary to account for the remaining shear in plasma flow. The detailed structures of such reconnection layers with implications for magnetopause reconnection events are discussed.     

Plasma flow across the cusp-magnetosheath boundary under northward IMF

In this paper, we have used two closely spaced (INTERBALL-1 and MAGION-4) satellites orbiting in the region adjacent to the magnetopause with motivation to determine the structure of the cusp-magnetosheath boundary under steady solar wind conditions and under the northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). Two-point observations reveal that a steady reconnection takes place tailward of the cusp and the position of the reconnection site moves in accordance with the actual IMF direction. Reconnection produces a latitudinally dispersed cusp precipitation with highest energies in the cusp poleward edge. The reconnection site is widely spread in local time and thus changes of the IMF By component only slightly modulate observed patterns. The change of the plasma flow direction suggests the presence of the vortex-like structure in the exterior cusp.     

Particle simulation study of substrom triggering with a southward IMF

This paper reports the spatial and temporal development of bursty bulk flows (BBFs) created by reconnection as well as current disruptions (CDs) in the near-Earth tail using our 3-D global electromagnetic (EM) particle simulation with a southward turning interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) in the context of the substorm onset. Recently, observations show that BBFs are often accompanied by current disruptions for triggering substorms. We have examined the dynamics of BBFs and CDs in order to understand the timing and triggering mechanism of substorms. As the solar wind with the southward IMF advances over the Earth, the near-Earth tail thins and the sheet current intensifies. Before the peak of the current density becomes maximum, reconnection takes place, which ejects particles from the reconnection region. Because of earthward flows the peak of the current density moves toward Earth. The characteristics of the earthward flows depend on the ions and electrons. Electrons flow back into the inflow region (the center of reconnection region), which provides current closure. Therefore the structure of electron flows near the reconnection region is rather complicated. In contrast, the ion earthward flows are generated far from the reconnection region. These earthward flows pile up near the Earth. The ions mainly drift toward the duskside. The electrons are diverted toward the dawnside. Due to the pile-up, dawnward current is generated near Earth. This dawnward current dissipates rapidly with the sheet current because of the opposite current direction, which coincides with the dipolarization in the near-Earth tail. At this time the wedge current may be created in our simulation model. This simulation study shows the sequence of the substorm dynamics in the near-Earth tail, which is similar to the features obtained by multisatellite observations. Identification of the timing and mechanism of triggering substorm onset requires further studies in conjunction with observations.     

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场剥离，形成比单一重联喷流区更复杂的三维边界层结构.磁云边界层中可能发生多点多次重联，从而不表现出单点重联的排空区特征，这可能是行星际磁场重联排空区较少在ICME前端被观测到的原因之一.      

Two energy release processes for CMEs: MHD catastrophe and magnetic reconnection

It remains an open question how magnetic energy is rapidly released in the solar corona so as to create solar explosions such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Recent studies have confirmed that a system consisting of a flux rope embedded in a background field exhibits a catastrophic behavior, and the energy threshold at the catastrophic point may exceed the associated open field energy. The accumulated free energy in the corona is abruptly released when the catastrophe takes place, and it probably serves as the main means of energy release for CMEs at least in the initial phase. Such a release proceeds via an ideal MHD process in contrast with nonideal ones such as magnetic reconnection. The catastrophe results in a sudden formation of electric current sheets, which naturally provide proper sites for fast magnetic reconnection. The reconnection may be identified with a solar flare associated with the CME on one hand, and produces a further acceleration of the CME on the other. On this basis, several preliminary suggestions are made for future observational investigations, especially with the proposed Kuafa satellites, on the roles of the MHD catastrophe and magnetic reconnection in the magnetic energy release associated with CMEs and flares.     

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。     

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。      

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.      

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.      

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.     

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。      

磁层顶通量传输事件轴向统计分析

磁层顶通量传输事件（Flux Transfer Event,FTE）与磁重联相关,其典型特征为磁场法向分量的双极变化.在不同FTE模型里,FTE结构可能为重联的通量管、由多X线重联形成的闭合磁通量绳或者由单X线重联形成的开放磁场环,从而在磁层顶有不同的整体位形.使用一种新的轴向分析方法,对Cluster在一个向阳面磁层顶穿越季观测到的505个FTE进行统计研究.结果表明:在磁层顶中低纬度的侧翼,大多数FTE轴向均为沿磁层磁力线方向即南北方向,少数FTE轴向沿着不同于磁层磁力线方向的东西方向;在高纬磁层顶,大多数FTE轴向沿东西方向,少数FTE轴向沿着磁层磁力线方向即南北方向.这些统计特征有助于重新认识FTE的全球形态.