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Field-line reconnexion in the two-dimensional asymmetric case

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2009

V. S. Semenov
Affiliation:
Institute of Physics, State University, Leningrad, USSR
I. V. Kubyshkin
Affiliation:
Institute of Physics, State University, Leningrad, USSR
M. F. Heyn
Affiliation:
Space Research Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Graz, Austria
H. K. Biernat
Affiliation:
Space Research Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Graz, Austria

Abstract

A detailed mathematical analysis of plane steady-state reconnexion is given for the case when the plasma parameters and the magnetic fields are not identical on both sides of the current sheet. Asymptotic solutions in the sense that the inflow velocity is much less than the local Alfvén velocity as well as the arrangement of shock waves are obtained. Rotational (Alfvén) waves, slow shock waves, rarefaction waves (expansion fans), and a contact discontinuity may occur. Four different types of solution, corresponding to different shock wave configurations, are possible. They depend on the parameters of the inflow regions in a unique way.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

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