Author:

Keywords:

Science & Technology, Physical Sciences, Astronomy & Astrophysics, magnetic reconnection, methods: numerical, shock waves, solar wind, MAGNETOTAIL RECONNECTION, HYBRID SIMULATIONS, PLASMA, LAYER, 0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences, 5101 Astronomical sciences, 5109 Space sciences

Abstract:

© 2015. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.. The long-term evolution of large domain particle-in-cell simulations of collisionless magnetic reconnection is investigated following observations that show two possible outcomes for collisionless reconnection: toward a Petschek-like configuration or toward multiple X points. In the present simulation, a mixed scenario develops. At earlier time, plasmoids are emitted, disrupting the formation of Petschek-like structures. Later, an almost stationary monster plasmoid forms, preventing the emission of other plasmoids. A situation reminiscent of Petschek's switch-off then ensues. Switch-off is obtained through a slow shock/rotational discontinuity compound structure. Two external slow shocks (SS) located at the separatrices reduce the in-plane tangential component of the magnetic field, but not to zero. Two transitions reminiscent of rotational discontinuities (RD) in the internal part of the exhaust then perform the final switch-off. Both the SS and the RD are characterized through analysis of their Rankine-Hugoniot jump conditions. A moderate guide field is used to suppress the development of the firehose instability in the exhaust.