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.     

Acceleration of charged particles by fluctuating and steady electric fields in a X-type magnetic field

Release of stored magnetic energy via particle acceleration is a characteristic feature of astrophysical plasmas. Magnetic reconnection is one of the mechanisms for releasing energy from magnetized plasmas. Collisionless magnetic reconnection could provide both the energy release mechanism and the particle accelerator in space plasmas. Here we studied particle acceleration when fluctuating (in-time) electric fields are superposed on an static X-type magnetic field in collisionless hot solar plasma. This system is chosen to mimic the reconnective dissipation of a linear MHD disturbance. Our results are compared to particle acceleration from constant electric field superposed on an X-type magnetic field. The constant electric field configuration represents the effects of steady state magnetic reconnection. Time evolution of ion and electron distributions are obtained by numerically integrating particle trajectories. The frequencies of the electric field represent a turbulent range of waves. Depending on the frequency and amplitude of the electric field, electrons and ions are accelerated to different degrees and have energy distributions of bimodal form consisting of a lower energy part and a high energy tail. For frequencies (ω in dimensioless units) in the range 0.5 ? ω ? 1.0 a substantial fraction (20%–30%) of the proton distribution is accelerated to gamma-ray producing energies. For frequencies in the range 1 ? ω ? 100.0 the bulk of the electron distribution is accelerated to hard X-ray producing energies. The acceleration mechanism is important for solar flares and solar noise storms but it could be applicable to all collisionless astrophysical plasmas.     

Combining MHD and kinetic modelling of solar flares

Solar flares are explosive events in the solar corona, representing fast conversion of magnetic energy into thermal and kinetic energy, and hence radiation, due to magnetic reconnection. Modelling is essential for understanding and predicting these events. However, self-consistent modelling is extremely difficult due to the vast spatial and temporal scale separation between processes involving thermal plasma (normally considered using magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) approach) and non-thermal plasma (requiring a kinetic approach). In this mini-review we consider different approaches aimed at bridging the gap between fluid and kinetic modelling of solar flares. Two types of approaches are discussed: combined MHD/test-particle (MHDTP) models, which can be used for modelling the flaring corona with relatively small numbers of energetic particles, and hybrid fluid-kinetic methods, which can be used for modelling stronger events with higher numbers of energetic particles. Two specific examples are discussed in more detail: MHDTP models of magnetic reconnection and particle acceleration in kink-unstable twisted coronal loops, and a novel reduced-kinetic model of particle transport in converging magnetic fields.     

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.     

Plasmoid formation in eruptive flares

One phenomena Yohkoh has observed is plasmoid eruption in flares. Thus this is a key factor that must be explained in any flare mechanism. In order to understand the dynamics of a plasmoid, we performed a numerical MHD simulation and investigated the evolution of the coronal magnetic field, which is initially a force-free configuration. The main results are as follows. At first, small amount of dissipation, induced by the initial perturbation, occurs in the current sheet where the plasmoid forms. This plasmoid is slowly going upward by magnetic tension force of the reconnected magnetic fields produced by initial dissipation. The crucial point comes when the perpendicular magnetic fields are washed away from the reconnection point, after that the reconnection proceeds effectively so that the magnetic tension force of the reconnected fields becomes strong, which make the plasmoid be rapidly erupted upward. These are consistent with the observational results, which say that before the main energy release the plasmoid slowly rises and when the flare sets in it is rapidly accelerated upward. In this paper, we emphasize on the role that the perpendicular magnetic fields play in the evolution of flare.     

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.     

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。     

周期性多电流片系统中涡旋诱发重联过程的相互作用

运用二维可压缩磁流体动力学(MHD)模拟方法考察了周期性多电流片系统中涡旋诱发重联(VIR)过程的发展演化.结果表明,相邻电流片中的VIR过程发生相互作用,相距越近,作用越强烈.反对称和对称波模VIR过程的线性增长率随电流片间距的减小而分别增大和降低.当电流片间距小于某临界值时,反对称波模VIR完全被抑制.相对于对称波模VIR,反对称波模VIR过程对空间多电流片系统的发展会发挥更大作用.      

Electrodynamic Coupling in the Solar Wind-Magnetosphere-Ionosphere System

This paper presents a brief summary of our recent work based on global MHD simulations of the Solar wind-Magnetosphere-Ionosphere (SMI) system with emphasis on the electrodynamic coupling in the system. The main conclusions obtained are summarized as follows. (1) As a main dynamo of the SMI system, the bow shock contributes to both region 1 Field-Aligned Current (FAC) and cross-tail current. Under strong interplanetary driving conditions and moderate Alfven Mach numbers, the bow shock's contribution may exceed more than fifty percent of the total of either region 1 or cross-tail currents. (2) In terms of more than 100 simulation runs with due southward Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF), we have found a combined parameter f = E_swP_swM_A-1/2 (E_sw, P_sw, and M_A are the solar wind electric field, ram pressure, and Alfven Mach number, respectively): both the ionospheric transpolar potential and the magnetopause reconnection voltage vary linearly with f for small f, but saturate for large f. (3) The reconnection voltage is approximately fitted by sin3/2θ_IMF/2, where θ_IMF is the IMF clock angle. The ionospheric transpolar potential, the voltage along the polar cap boundary, and the electric fields along the merging line however defined they may be, respond differently to θ_IMF, so it is not justified to take them as substitutes for the reconnection voltage.      

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.      

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.     

Numerical simulation of reconnection in an emerging magnetic flux region

The resistive MHD equations are numerically solved in two dimensions for an initial-boundary-value problem which simulates reconnection between an emerging magnetic flux region and an overlying coronal magnetic field. The solution involves both ideal-MHD and resistive-MHD processes, and the solution shows an evolution which is remarkably suggestive of the preflare, impulsive, and main phases of the flare-cycle.     

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.      

A 3rd Order WENO GLM-MHD Scheme for Magnetic Reconnection

A new numerical scheme of 3rd order Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory (WENO)type for 2.5D mixed GLM-MHD in Cartesian coordinates is proposed. The MHD equations are modified by combining the arguments as by Dellar and Dedner et al to couple the divergence constraint with the evolution equations using a Generalized Lagrange Multiplier (GLM). Moreover, the magnetohydrodynamic part of the GLM-MHD system is still in conservation form. Meanwhile, this method is very easy to add to an existing code since the underlying MHD solver does not have to be modified. To show the validation and capacity of its application to MHD problem modelling,interaction between a magnetosonic shock and a denser cloud and magnetic reconnection problems are used to verify this new MHD code. The numerical tests for 2D Orszag and Tang's MHD vortex,interaction between a magnetosonic shock and a denser cloud and magnetic reconnection problems show that the third order WENO MHD solvers are robust and yield reliable results by the new mixed GLM or the mixed EGLM correction here even if it can not be shown that how the divergence errors are transported as well as damped as done for one dimensional ideal MHD by Dedner et al.      

存在初始引导场情况下的无碰撞磁场重联

采用二维三分量的全粒子模拟方法研究了不同初始引导场情况下的无碰撞磁场重联及初态为一维的Harris电流片.结果表明,Bz0＞0.5B0的强引导场不仅会显著改变粒子的运动轨迹,而且会改变重联区附近的电场和流场结构,从而影响重联率和电子加速.运用广义欧姆定律解释了不同引导场下电场的结构特征.另外,通过对扩散区附近束流电子的跟踪研究发现,在二维模型中,不论引导场强弱,位于扩散区中心垂直模拟平面的感应电场对电子加速起主要作用,而扩散区外平面电场的贡献很小.      

向阳面磁顶区可压缩涡旋诱发重联模拟研究:通量传输事件的形成和结构

本文用二维可压缩MHD模型,模拟研究了向阳面磁顶区的涡旋诱发重联过程。重联过程的结果形成了同心的磁流体涡旋。同时还对可压缩模型与不可压缩模型的异同点作了对比研究。结果表明,在同样条件下,可压缩情况的涡旋发展的增长率比不可压缩情况慢;结构特性无显著变化。本文指出,涡旋诱发重联是产生通量传输事件的一种重要机制。通量传输管可看作为磁流体涡旋管。对通量传输事件诸物理量(磁场、速度、密度、压力和温度)的分布特性作了模拟研究,可解释FTEs的主要观测特性。      

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。     

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.     

磁尾等离子体片对流对亚暴的影响

采用2(1/2)维全粒子电磁模拟方法研究了等离子体片中稳态对流及局地爆发高速流对磁层亚暴触发过程的影响.研究发现,地向瞬时局地高速流可触发磁场重联,导致储存于磁尾磁场能量的快速释放.但是,等离子体片稳态对流可抑制磁尾磁场重联过程.此项研究结果表明,局地爆发高速流能够触发磁层亚暴;而行星际磁场(IMF)持续南向时的稳态磁层对流期间,不易发生亚暴.      

Solar magnetic fields and the dynamo theory

Unlike Earth’s dipolar magnetic fields, solar magnetic fields consist of wide ranges of length-scales and strengths, and interestingly, they evolve in a cyclic fashion with a 22-year periodicity. A magnetohydrodynamic dynamo operating in the Sun is most likely responsible for producing the solar magnetic activity cycle. While the first solar dynamo models were built half a century ago, recent views differ significantly from those models. According to widely accepted present concepts, the large-scale solar dynamo is of flux-transport type, which involves three basic processes: (i) generation of toroidal fields by shearing the pre-existing poloidal fields by differential rotation (the Ω-effect); (ii) re-generation of poloidal fields by lifting and twisting the toroidal fluxtubes (the α-effect); (iii) flux transport by meridional circulation. This class of dynamos has been successful in explaining many large-scale solar cycle features, including a particularly difficult one – the correct phase relationship between the equatorward-migrating sunspot belt and the poleward drifting large-scale, diffuse fields. The dynamo cycle period in such models is primarily governed by the meridional flow speed near the bottom of the convection zone. After briefly reviewing the historical background, we will present the successes of flux-transport dynamos, including their predictive capability. For example, we will demonstrate how the meridional circulation plays a key role in governing the Sun’s memory about its own magnetic field, and how a flux-transport dynamo-based predictive tool can explain the cause of the very slow polar reversal in the so-called “peculiar” cycle 23 compared to those in cycles 20, 21 and 22. We will close by presenting explanations for certain long-term variability using these models, such as, what may have maintained the observed cyclic variation in slow solar wind flow during Maunder minima, in the presence of near zero solar activity.