Friday, February 17, 2012

1202.3648 (J. W. Threlfall et al.)

Nonlinear fast magnetoacoustic wave interaction with 2D magnetic X-points in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies    [PDF]

J. W. Threlfall, C. E. Parnell, I. De Moortel, K. G. McClements, T. D. Arber
Context. This paper investigates the role of the Hall term in the propagation and dissipation of waves which interact with 2D magnetic X-points and considers the effect of the Hall term on the nature of the resulting reconnection. Aims. The goal is to determine how the evolution of a nonlinear fast magnetoacoustic wave pulse, and the behaviour of the oscillatory reconnection which results from the interaction of the pulse with a line-tied 2D magnetic X-point, is affected by the Hall term in the generalised Ohm's law. Methods. A Lagrangian remap shock-capturing code (Lare2d) is used to study the evolution of an initial fast magnetoacoustic wave annulus for a range of values of the ion skin depth (di) in resistive Hall MHD. A magnetic null-point finding algorithm is also used to locate and track the evolution of the multiple null-points that are formed in the system. Results. In general, the fast wave is coupled to a shear wave and, for finite di, to whistler and ion cyclotron waves. Dispersive whistler effects cause rapid oscillations of the X-point, which (in combination with the arrival of the main body of the pulse) leads to the creation of magnetic islands and multiple null points under the influence of the Hall term. At later times, competition of local Lorentz and gas pressure forces return the system to a near-equilibrium state. The rate of oscillatory reconnection recovered during this latter phase appears to be unaffected by the value of di.
View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1202.3648

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