Magnetic reconnection induced by Kelvin Helmholtz instability

MHD simulation study is performed to investigate magnetic reconnection induced by the Kelvin Helmholtz instability in the initially sheared magnetic field geometry as well as in the uniform magnetic field geometry. Slow mode rarefaction structures seen in the uniform field case are not observed in the sheared field case. Dynamo action is less prominent and the conversion of plasma flow energy into the other forms of energy is also smaller in the sheared field case than in the uniform field case. Momentum transport is mostly due to the hydrodynamic stress in the sheared field case, while the electromagnetic stress is dominant in the uniform field case. The long term evolutions are also markedly different in the two cases. In the uniform field geometry, the magnetic field lines twisted due to the Kelvin Helmholtz instability become reconnected and flattened so that they resume the straight field line structure which resembles the initial field geometry. The magnetic field, however, is not uniform with smaller intensity in the central region where the pressure balance is partially maintained by the enhanced thermal pressure. In the initially sheared magnetic field geometry, magnetic reconnection continues to operate until the end of the simulation and the conversion of the flow energy into the thermal energy is still seen.     

Reconnection in the Solar Corona: Role of the Kelvin–Helmholtz Instability

We consider the stability of current sheets where a normal component of the field is present. It is well known that reconnection in such systems progresses orders of magnitude too slow to explain observations, even when full kinetic models are used. We consider here a new possible mechanism for fast reconnection in such systems. We consider the effect of the possible presence of velocity shear that can drive the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability (KHI). The effect of the KHI is shown to convert shear flow into compression flow that drives reconnection. Three scaling effects can be discerned in the simulations. First, the reconnection rate is directly controlled by the driving mechanism which is provided by the KHI. The result of this new mechanism is that fast reconnection can be achieved even in absence of anomalous resistivity. Second, the effect of varying the initial sheared flow along the main magnetic field direction enhances the reconnection process. Finally, the reconnection rate is insensitive to the value of resistivity.     

Tearing instability in the pulsar magnetosphere

Equations governing the coupling of the scalar and vector potentials for a resistive electron-positron plasma in a strong magnetic field are derived. It is shown that in the presence of magnetic shear, a tearing instability may occur. The latter can lead to magnetic field line reconnection and the formation of magnetic islands which could affect the dynamics of the pulsar magnetosphere.     

On Kelvin–Helmholtz instability due to the solar wind interaction with unmagnetized planets

In this paper, the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability is studied by solving the ideal MHD equations for a compressible plasma. A transition layer of finite thickness between two plasmas, across which the magnitude of the velocity and the density change, is assumed. Growth rates are presented for the transverse case, i.e., the flow velocity is perpendicular to the magnetic field. If only the velocity changes across the boundary layer and the density is kept constant, an important quantity affecting the growth of the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability is the magnetosonic Mach number, which characterizes compressibility. The growth rates for the case when both, the velocity and the density, change are very sensitive to the ratio of the upper plasma density to the lower plasma density: a decrease of the density ratio yields a decrease of the growth rate. Including a density profile is very important for the application of the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability to the solar wind flow around unmagnetized planets, e.g., Venus, where the plasma density increases from the magnetosheath to the ionosphere.     

激光驱动亥姆霍兹电容线圈靶磁重联实验的数值模拟

激光驱动亥姆霍兹电容线圈靶的磁重联实验已经提出并进行了多年.当实验中的金属板被强激光照射时产生自由电子,这些自由电子的运动在连接两金属板的两个平行线圈中产生电流,由两个平行线圈内部电流产生的磁场之间随即发生重联.该实验不同于其他直接由Biermann电池效应所产生高β(等离子体热压与磁压的比值)环境下的磁重联实验.对该类实验进行了3维磁流体动力学数值模拟,首次展示了亥姆霍兹电容器线圈靶如何驱动磁重联的过程.数值模拟结果清楚地表明,磁重联的出流等离子体在线圈周围发生与实验结果相一致的堆积现象.线圈电流产生的磁场可高达100 T,使得磁重联区域周围的等离子体β值达到10^-2.与实验室结果进行比较,数值模拟重复了实验展示的大多数特征,可有助于深入认识和理解实验结果背后的物理学原理.     

A 2D numerical study of explosive events in the solar atmosphere

Two-dimensional (2D) compressible magnetohydrodynamic simulations are performed to explore the idea that the asymmetric reconnection between newly emerging intranetwork magnetic field flux and pre-existing network flux causes the explosive events in the solar atmosphere. The dependence of the reconnection rate as a function of time on the density and temperature of the emerging flux are investigated. For a Lundquist number of L _u= 5000 we find that the tearing mode instability can lead to the formation and growth of small magnetic islands. Depending on the temperature and density ratio of the emerging plasma, the magnetic island can be lifted upward and convected out of the top boundary, or is suppressed downward and convected out of the top boundary, or is suppressed downward nad submerged below the bottom boundary. The motions of the magnetic islands with different direction are accompanied respectively with upward or downward high velocity flow which might be associated with the red- and blue-shifted components detected in the explosive events.     

Flux-Rope Twist in Eruptive Flares and CMEs: Due to Zipper and Main-Phase Reconnection

The nature of three-dimensional reconnection when a twisted flux tube erupts during an eruptive flare or coronal mass ejection is considered. The reconnection has two phases: first of all, 3D “zipper reconnection” propagates along the initial coronal arcade, parallel to the polarity inversion line (PIL); then subsequent quasi-2D “main-phase reconnection” in the low corona around a flux rope during its eruption produces coronal loops and chromospheric ribbons that propagate away from the PIL in a direction normal to it. One scenario starts with a sheared arcade: the zipper reconnection creates a twisted flux rope of roughly one turn (\(2\pi \) radians of twist), and then main-phase reconnection builds up the bulk of the erupting flux rope with a relatively uniform twist of a few turns. A second scenario starts with a pre-existing flux rope under the arcade. Here the zipper phase can create a core with many turns that depend on the ratio of the magnetic fluxes in the newly formed flare ribbons and the new flux rope. Main phase reconnection then adds a layer of roughly uniform twist to the twisted central core. Both phases and scenarios are modeled in a simple way that assumes the initial magnetic flux is fragmented along the PIL. The model uses conservation of magnetic helicity and flux, together with equipartition of magnetic helicity, to deduce the twist of the erupting flux rope in terms the geometry of the initial configuration. Interplanetary observations show some flux ropes have a fairly uniform twist, which could be produced when the zipper phase and any pre-existing flux rope possess small or moderate twist (up to one or two turns). Other interplanetary flux ropes have highly twisted cores (up to five turns), which could be produced when there is a pre-existing flux rope and an active zipper phase that creates substantial extra twist.     

Interaction between sheared flow and resistive tearing mode

We investigate the nonlinear evolution of resistive tearing mode in a current sheet with a sheared flow in a long, thin cylinder. The results show that a hyperbolic secant (sech) flow field will lead to instability of the resistive tearing mode, formation of magnetic islands and rapid release of magnetic energy. The coupling between sheared flow and the tearing mode and interaction between suprathermal instabilities change the degree of shear in the magnetic field (the electric current gradient) and drive the development of the instability. This process may be one of the mechanisms of solar flares.     

A numerical experiment relevant to line-tied reconnection in two-ribbon flares

The nonlinear evolution of a reconnecting magnetic field configuration similar to that occurring just before the onset of ‘post’-flare loops in two-ribbon flares is determined. The evolution, which is obtained by numerically solving the resistive MHD equations, shows two new features that have not yet been incorporated into contemporary models of ‘post’-flare loops. The first of these new features is the formation of a nearly stationary fast-mode shock above the region corresponding to the top of the loops. This fast-mode shock occurs just below the magnetic neutral line and between the slow-mode shocks associated with fast magnetic reconnection at the neutral line. The second new feature is the creation and annihilation of large-scale magnetic islands in the current sheet above the loops. The annihilation of the islands occurs very rapidly and appears to be a manifestation of the coalescence instability. The creation and annihilation of magnetic islands could be important in understanding the energetics of ‘post’-flare loops since the coalescence instability can produce an intermittent energy release more than an order of magnitude faster than that predicted by steady-state reconnection theories.     

Eddy viscosity and turbulent Schmidt number by kink-type instabilities of toroidal magnetic fields

The potential of the non-axisymmetric magnetic instability to transport angular momentum and to mix chemicals is probed considering the stability of a nearly uniform toroidal field between conducting cylinders with different rotation rates. The fluid between the cylinders is assumed as incompressible and to be of uniform density. With a linear theory, the neutral-stability maps for   m = 1  are computed. Rigid rotation must be sub-Alfvénic to allow instability, while for differential rotation also an unstable domain with faster rotation exists [azimuthal magnetorotational instability (AMRI)]. The rotational quenching of the magnetic instability is strongest for magnetic Prandtl number of the order of unity.
The effective angular momentum transport by the instability is directed outwards for subrotation. The resulting magnetic-induced eddy viscosity exceeds the microscopic values by factors of 10–100. This is only true for AMRI; in the opposite case of Tayler instability, the viscosity results are very small.
The same instability also quenches concentration gradients of chemicals by dynamic fluctuations. The corresponding diffusion coefficient always remains smaller than the magnetic-generated eddy viscosity. A Schmidt number of the order of 30 is found as the ratio of the effective viscosity and the diffusion coefficient. For not too strong magnetic fields in the radiation zone of young solar-type stars, the magnetic instability transports much more angular momentum than that it mixes chemicals.     

On the magnetic reconnection of electric currents in solar flares

The role of the electric currents distributed over the volume of an active region on the Sun is considered from the standpoint of solar flare physics. We suggest including the electric currents in a topological model of the magnetic field in an active region. Typical values of the mutual inductance and the interaction energy of the coronal electric currents flowing along magnetic loops have been estimated for the M7/1N flare on April 27, 2006. We show that if these currents actually make a significant contribution to the flare energetics, then they must manifest themselves in the photosphericmagnetic fields. Depending on their orientation, the distributed currents can both help and hinder reconnection in the current layer at the separator during the flare. Asymmetric reconnection of the currents is accompanied by their interruption and an inductive change in energy. The reconnection of currents in flares differs significantly from the ordinary coalescence instability of magnetic islands in current layers. Highly accurate measurements of the magnetic fields in active regions are needed for a quantitative analysis of the role of distributed currents in solar flares.     

CME's,filament eruptions,and sheared low-lying magnetic loops in multipolar magnetic configuration

The finite element method was used to solve a partial differential equation (magnetostatic equation) for multipolar magnetic regions. It is found that the height of magnetic field lines above the magnetic neutral line of a central strong bipolar magnetic field decreases as the field lines' footpoints approach the neutral line and also with increased magnetic shear. Both the electric current density and plasma pressure in the sheared low-lying loops are high. We suggest that the sheared low-lying loops may store the energies of large coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and filament eruptions. In addition, it is found that a lower pressure area exists above the low-lying loops and that it is similar in morphology to a coronal cavity. Above the lower pressure area there is a higher pressure area, which may be the source of CMEs. In this area magnetic shear leads to magnetic reconnection, which may be the cause of high coronal temperature.     

Inertia driven tearing modes in electron-positron plasmas

It is shown that the particle inertia can cause a tearing instability in an electron-positron collisionless plasma with sheared magnetic fields. An approximate analytical expression for the growth rate is obtained. It characterizes the magnetic reconnection timescale in a magnetized electronpositron plasma.     

Effect of expansion and magnetic field configuration on mass entrainment of jets

We investigate the growth of jet plus entrained mass in simulations of supermagnetosonic cylindrical and expanding jets. The entrained mass spatially grows in three stages: from an initially slow spatial rate to a faster rate and finally at a flatter rate. These stages roughly coincide with the similar rates of expansion in simulated radio intensity maps, and also appear related to the growth of the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability through linear, nonlinear, and saturated regimes. In the supermagnetosonic cylindrical jets, we found that a jet with an embedded primarily toroidal magnetic field is more stable than a jet with a primarily axial magnetic field. Also, pressure-matched expanding jets are more stable and entrain less mass than cylindrical jets with equivalent inlet conditions. We investigate the growth of jet plus entrained mass in simulations of supermagnetosonic cylindrical and expanding jets. The entrained mass spatially grows in three stages: from an initially slow spatial rate to a faster rate and finally at a flatter rate. These stages roughly coincide with the similar rates of expansion in simulated radio intensity maps, and also appear related to the growth of the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability through linear, nonlinear, and saturated regimes. In the supermagnetosonic cylindrical jets, we found that a jet with an embedded primarily toroidal magnetic field is more stable than a jet with a primarily axial magnetic field. Also, pressure-matched expanding jets are more stable and entrain less mass than cylindrical jets with equivalent inlet conditions.     

Tripolar vortex in plasma flow

Strongly nonlinear processes in a two-component plasma with sheared flow, in the low-frequency limit, in comparison with the ion gyro frequency Ω_i, and for perturbations propagating perpendicularly to the ambient magnetic field are studied. In the linear domain such a system is prone to the development of instability of the Kelvin–Helmholtz type. In the nonlinear regime this instability can saturate into stationary travelling solutions of the form of vortex chains and tripolar vortices, which are found in this paper.     

Breakout and Tether-Cutting Eruption Models Are Both Catastrophic (Sometimes)

We present a simplified analytic model of a quadrupolar magnetic field and flux rope to model coronal mass ejections. The model magnetic field is two-dimensional, force-free and has current only on the axis of the flux rope and within two current sheets. It is a generalization of previous models containing a single current sheet anchored to a bipolar flux distribution. Our new model can undergo quasi-static evolution either due to changes at the boundary or due to magnetic reconnection at either current sheet. We find that all three kinds of evolution can lead to a catastrophe, known as loss of equilibrium. Some equilibria can be driven to catastrophic instability either through reconnection at the lower current sheet, known as tether cutting, or through reconnection at the upper current sheet, known as breakout. Other equilibria can be destabilized through only one and not the other. Still others undergo no instability, but they evolve increasingly rapidly in response to slow steady driving (ideal or reconnective). One key feature of every case is a response to reconnection different from that found in simpler systems. In our two-current-sheet model a reconnection electric field in one current sheet causes the current in that sheet to increase rather than decrease. This suggests the possibility for the microscopic reconnection mechanism to run away.     

Observations of the Blandford–Znajek process and the magnetohydrodynamic Penrose process in computer simulations of black hole magnetospheres

In this paper we report the results of axisymmetric relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations for the problem of a Kerr black hole immersed in a rarefied plasma with 'uniform' magnetic field. The long-term solution shows properties that are significantly different from those of the initial transient phase studied recently by Koide. The topology of magnetic field lines within the ergosphere is similar to that of the split-monopole model with a strong current sheet in the equatorial plane. Closer inspection reveals a system of isolated magnetic islands inside the sheet and ongoing magnetic reconnection. No regions of negative hydrodynamic 'energy at infinity' are seen inside the ergosphere and the so-called MHD Penrose process does not operate. However, the rotational energy of the black hole continues to be extracted via the purely electromagnetic Blandford–Znajek mechanism. In spite of this, no strong relativistic outflows from the black hole are seen to be developing. Combined with results of other recent simulations, our results signal a potential problem for the standard MHD model of relativistic astrophysical jets should they be found at distances as small as a few tens of gravitational radii from the central black hole.     

Radiative and reconnection instabilities: Compressible and viscous effects

Filaments and flares are prominent indicators of the magnetic fields of solar activity. These instability phenomena arise from the influence of weak transport effects (radiation and resistivity, respectively) on coronal magnetodynamics and energy flow. We have previously shown that the filament and flare (tearing or reconnection) mechanisms are resistively coupled in sheared magnetic fields of the kind existing in active regions. The present paper expands this treatment to include the effects of compressibility and viscosity, which are most prominent at short wavelengths. The results show that compressibility affects the radiative mode, including a modest increase of its growth rate, and that viscosity modifies the tearing mode, partially through a decrease of its growth rate. A comprehensive discussion of the mode structures and flows is presented. The strongest effect found is a reversal, at very long wavelengths, of the radiative cooling of the resistive interior layer of the tearing mode, caused by compressional heating.     

新磁重联理论

本文研究了磁流体力学与高频等离子体波（ 包括纵横模式） 之间的精巧的相互作用。研究表明,这些等离激元会在电流片内诱发一种阻抗不稳定,并最终导至磁重联,出现爆发性不稳定。在高涨的离声湍动情况下,高温电流片模型必须采用反常电导率,而非库仑电导率。理论估算的结果与观测相一致。因此这种计及等离激元有质动力作用的新磁重联理论,基本上能解释耀斑现象。     

Flux Rope Formation Due to Shearing and Zipper Reconnection

Zipper reconnection has been proposed as a mechanism for creating most of the twist in the flux tubes that are present prior to eruptive flares and coronal mass ejections. We have conducted a first numerical experiment on this new regime of reconnection, where two initially untwisted parallel flux tubes are sheared and reconnected to form a large flux rope. We describe the properties of this experiment, including the linkage of magnetic flux between concentrated flux sources at the base of the simulation, the twist of the newly formed flux rope, and the conversion of mutual magnetic helicity in the sheared pre-reconnection state into the self-helicity of the newly formed flux rope.