Numerical study of relativistic magnetic reconnections

Hiroyuki R. Takahashi, Jin Matsumoto, Youhei Masada, Takahiro Kudoh

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

We investigate the dynamics of the relativistic Sweet-Parker reconnection by means of Relativistic Resistive Magnetohydrodynamic (RRMHD) simulation. It is found that the magnetic energy is preferentially converted to the thermal energy in the diffusion region, resulting the formation of the relativistically hot outflows. The outflow speed is a little smaller than that expected from the non-relativistic theory which predicts the outflow speed is of order the Alfvén speed. The slow outflow speed is the consequence of the increase in the plasma inertia due to the relativistic effects. Since the observed Lorentz factor of the outflow and the reconnection rate are both small, our numerical model suggests that the relativistic Sweet-Parker reconnection is a slow process for the magnetic energy conversion as well as the non-relativistic one.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDeciphering the Ancient Universe with Gamma-Ray Bursts
Pages427-429
Number of pages3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Symposium "Deciphering the Ancient Universe with Gamma-Ray Bursts" - Kyoto, Japan
Duration: 2010 Apr 192010 Apr 23

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume1279
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Other

OtherInternational Symposium "Deciphering the Ancient Universe with Gamma-Ray Bursts"
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityKyoto
Period10/4/1910/4/23

Keywords

  • MHD
  • Magnetic fields
  • Plasmas
  • Relativity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physics and Astronomy(all)

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