2011/03/31 by Olindo Zanotti, O. Zanotti, Michael Dumbser +1 · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics #Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics #Magnetic confinement fusion research #astro-ph.HE #gr-qc
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.19551.x
10 pages, 9 figures, matches version accepted by MNRAS
arxiv created 2011/08/02 · openalex publication_date 2011/10/14 · arxiv updated 2015/05/27 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
We present the results of 2D and 3D magnetohydrodynamical numerical simulations of relativistic magnetic reconnection, with particular emphasis on the dynamics of the plasma in a Petschek-type configuration with high Lundquist numbers, S∼ 105–108. The numerical scheme adopted, allowing for unprecedented accuracy for this type of calculations, is based on high-order finite volume and discontinuous Galerkin methods as recently proposed by Dumbser & Zanotti. The possibility of producing high Lorentz factors is discussed, showing that Lorentz factors close to ∼4 can be produced for a plasma parameter σm= 20. Moreover, we find that the Sweet–Parker layers are unstable, generating secondary magnetic islands, but only for S > Sc∼ 108, much larger than what is reported in the Newtonian regime. Finally, the effects of a mildly anisotropic Ohm’s law are considered in a configuration with a guide magnetic field. Such effects produce only slightly faster reconnection rates and Lorentz factors of about 1 per cent larger with respect to the perfectly isotropic Ohm’s law.