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Magnetic field-line reconnexion by localized enhancement of resistivity: Part 1. Evolution in a compressible MHD fluid

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2009

Masayuki Ugai
Affiliation:
Department of Electrical Engineering, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
Takao Tsuda
Affiliation:
Department of Electrical Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan

Extract

The temporal dynamics of field-line reconnexion is studied by numerical experiment in a compressible conducting fluid. It is shown that because of localized enhancement of resistivity the reconnexion takes place in an initially antiparallel magnetic field and that an X-type field configuration develops, occupying an extended region. There is also a remarkable release of magnetic energy into kinetic and thermal energies. The global flow pattern can spontaneously be set up through the field-line reconnexion under no specially imposed boundary conditions.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

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References

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