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Three-dimensional simulations of magnetic reconnection in a dusty plasma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2008

SAMUEL A. LAZERSON  and
HEINZ M. WIECHEN
SAMUEL A. LAZERSON
Affiliation:
Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA ([email protected])
HEINZ M. WIECHEN
Affiliation:
Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA ([email protected])
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Abstract

We present the results of three-dimensional self-consistent multi-fluid simulations of magnetic reconnection in a dusty plasma. We ballistically relax a Harris-like current sheet into a fluid pseudo-equilibrium. We then perturb the current sheet with typical inflow and outflow velocities associated with classical models of reconnection. We find a 20% decrease in magnetic energy for the case of a locally enhanced resistivity. For a parameter-dependent resistivity we find a 26% decrease in magnetic energy in the current sheet. We find dust-neutral relative flow velocities that are a factor of two greater than the dust Alfvén velocity. We then explore the implications of these flows on aerodynamic drag heating of the dust particles.

Type
Papers
Information
Journal of Plasma Physics , Volume 74 , Issue 4 , August 2008 , pp. 493 - 513
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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