Generation of quasi-periodic waves and flows in the solar atmosphere by oscillatory reconnection

McLaughlin, James, Verth, Gary, Fedun, Viktor and Erdélyi, Robert (2012) Generation of quasi-periodic waves and flows in the solar atmosphere by oscillatory reconnection. The Astrophysical Journal, 749 (1). pp. 30-40. ISSN 0004-637X

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Abstract

We investigate the long-term evolution of an initially buoyant magnetic flux tube emerging into a gravitationally stratified coronal hole environment and report on the resulting oscillations and outflows. We perform 2.5-dimensional nonlinear numerical simulations, generalizing the models of McLaughlin et al. and Murray et al. We find that the physical mechanism of oscillatory reconnection naturally generates quasi-periodic vertical outflows, with a transverse/swaying aspect. The vertical outflows consist of both a periodic aspect and evidence of a positively directed flow. The speed of the vertical outflow (20-60 km/s) is comparable to those reported in the observational literature. We also perform a parametric study varying the magnetic strength of the buoyant flux tube and find a range of associated periodicities: 1.75-3.5 minutes. Thus, the mechanism of oscillatory reconnection may provide a physical explanation to some of the high-speed, quasi-periodic, transverse outflows/jets recently reported by a multitude of authors and instruments.

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