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Orientation of X Lines in Asymmetric Magnetic Reconnection-Mass Ratio DependencyUsing fully kinetic simulations, we study the X line orientation of magnetic reconnection in an asymmetric configuration. A spatially localized perturbation is employed to induce a single X line, which has sufficient freedom to choose its orientation in three-dimensional systems. The effect of ion to electron mass ratio is investigated, and the X line appears to bisect the magnetic shear angle across the current sheet in the large mass ratio limit. The orientation can generally be deduced by scanning through the corresponding 2-D simulations to find the reconnection plane that maximizes the peak reconnection electric field. The deviation from the bisection angle in the lower mass ratio limit is consistent with the orientation shift of the most unstable linear tearing mode in an electron-scale current sheet.
Document ID
20150021524
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Liu, Yi-Hsin
(Oak Ridge Associated Universities Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Hesse, M.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Kuznetsova, M.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Date Acquired
November 20, 2015
Publication Date
August 14, 2015
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Publisher: AGU Publications
Volume: 120
Issue: 9
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN27310
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNH06CC03B
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Reconnection
current sheet
X line

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