Search arXiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/arXiv

arXiv · astro-ph/0605309

Physical Origin of the Quadrupole Out-of-Plane Magnetic Field in Hall-MHD Reconnection

Dmitri A. Uzdensky·Russell M. Kulsrud
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

A quadrupole pattern of the out-of-plane component of the magnetic field inside a reconnection region is seen as an important signature of the Hall-magnetohydrodynamic (Hall-MHD) regime of reconnection. It has been first observed in numerical simulations and just recently confirmed in the MRX (Magnetic Reconnection Experiment) [M. Yamada, H. Ji, S. Hsu, T. Carter, R. Kulsrud, N. Bertz, F. Jobes, Y. Ono, and F. Perkins, Phys. Plasmas 4, 1936 (1997)] and also seen in spacecraft observations of Earth's magnetosphere. In this study, the physical origin of the quadrupole field is analyzed and traced to a current of electrons that flows along the lines in and out of the inner reconnection region to maintain charge neutrality. The role of the quadrupole magnetic field in the overall dynamics of the reconnection process is discussed. In addition, the bipolar poloidal electric field is estimated and its effect on ion motions is emphasized.

Explore related subjects

astro-phphysics.plasm-phphysics.space-ph

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Dmitri A. Uzdensky, Russell M. Kulsrud. 2006-05-12. Physical Origin of the Quadrupole Out-of-Plane Magnetic Field in Hall-MHD Reconnection. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2209627

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

arXiv2026

Cosmic Conundrums with Quantum Corrections

Darh energy was discovered over 25 years ago and we do not have an explanation of it. Dark matter comprises 95% of matter in the universe and we still don't know what it is. The Webb telescope has been finding fully formed galaxies with massive black holes millions of times the mass of the sun in the early universe and we don't have any explanation. A quantum density limitation will be used to solve these and other outstanding problems.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2026

On binary pulsars and the force of gravity

The energy-momentum budget of the astrophysical systems can be studied by the exact local conservation equation derived by Landau and Lifshitz. We show that a similar equation is valid for the Einstein-Cartan gravity. We reanalyze a binary pulsar system using the Landau-Lifshitz conservation equation and show that the orbital period change rate can be completely understood as a curvature backreaction process. Taking into account the detailed theoretical and observational research of relativistic binary pulsar systems, especially the system of Hulse and Taylor, we conclude that general relativity and astrophysical observations rule out the existence of gravitational radiation. We comment upon the LIGO GW events and their alternative explanation, as well as the recent pulsar timing arrays data.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2026

Oscillation frequencies and mode lifetimes in alpha Centauri A

We analyse our recently-published velocity measurements of alpha Cen A (Butler et al. 2004). After adjusting the weights on a night-by-night basis in order to optimize the window function to minimize sidelobes, we extract 42 oscillation frequencies with l=0 to 3 and measure the large and small frequency separations. We give fitted relations to these frequencies that can be compared with theoretical models and conclude that the observed scatter about these fits is due to the finite lifetimes of the oscillation modes. We estimate the mode lifetimes to be 1-2 d, substantially shorter than in the Sun.

astro-ph↗