http://arxiv.org/abs/1609.02998
Numerical simulations have consistently shown that the reconnection rate in certain collisionless regimes can be fast, on the order of $0.1 v_A B_u$, where $v_A$ and $B_u$ are the Alfv\’en speed and the reconnecting magnetic field upstream of the ion diffusion region. This particular value has been reported in myriad numerical simulations under disparate conditions. However, despite decades of research, the reasons underpinning this specific value remain mysterious. Here, we present an overview of this problem and discuss the conditions under which the “0.1 value” is attained. Furthermore, we explain why this problem should be interpreted in terms of the ion diffusion region length.
L. Comisso and A. Bhattacharjee
Tue, 13 Sep 16
18/91
Comments: Manuscript submitted for the JPP Special Issue “Solved and Unsolved Problems in Plasma Physics”
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