On the periodicity of oscillatory reconnection

McLaughlin, James, Thurgood, Jonathan and MacTaggart, David (2012) On the periodicity of oscillatory reconnection. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 548 (A98). A98. ISSN 0004-6361

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201220234

Abstract

Oscillatory reconnection is a time-dependent magnetic reconnection mechanism that naturally produces periodic outputs from aperiodic drivers.
This paper aims to quantify and measure the periodic nature of oscillatory reconnection for the first time.
We solve the compressible, resistive, nonlinear magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) equations using 2.5D numerical simulations.
We identify two distinct periodic regimes: the impulsive and stationary phases. In the impulsive phase, we find the greater the amplitude of the initial velocity driver, the longer the resultant current sheet and the earlier its formation. In the stationary phase, we find that the oscillations are exponentially decaying and for driving amplitudes 6.3 − 126.2 km /s, we measure stationary-phase periods in the range 56.3 − 78.9 s, i.e. these are high frequency (0.01 − 0.02 Hz) oscillations. In both phases, we find that the greater the amplitude of the initial velocity driver, the shorter the resultant period, but note that different physical processes and periods are associated with both phases.
We conclude that the oscillatory reconnection mechanism behaves akin to a damped harmonic oscillator.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: magnetic reconnection, magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), waves, Sun: corona, Sun: magnetic topology, Sun: oscillations
Subjects: F300 Physics
F500 Astronomy
G100 Mathematics
Department: Faculties > Engineering and Environment > Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Prof James McLaughlin
Date Deposited: 09 Apr 2013 15:32
Last Modified: 17 Dec 2023 14:22
URI: https://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/11996

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