The relation between the energy conversion rate and reconnection rate in Petschek-type reconnection—Implications for solar flares
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2021
Abstract
The energy conversion rate in Petschek-type reconnection is modeled by parameterizing it with the reconnection rate and a dimensionless factor associated with the structure across the reconnection exhaust. We determine this factor by solving for the magnetic field and density change over the magnetohydrodynamic transitions, which bound the outflow exhaust. With a stronger guide field and/or lower plasma β, the fraction of the reconnecting magnetic field energy, which is transferred into the plasma, can decrease, but is lower-bounded by half of the reconnecting magnetic field energy. The prediction agrees reasonably well with the results in particle-in-cell simulations. We discuss implications to our understanding of energy transfer in reconnection and applications for finding the energy conversion rate in solar flares.
Identifier
85111943078 (Scopus)
Publication Title
Physics of Plasmas
External Full Text Location
https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0050557
e-ISSN
10897674
ISSN
1070664X
Issue
8
Volume
28
Grant
PHY-1902867
Fund Ref
National Science Foundation
Recommended Citation
Goodbred, Matthew; Liu, Yi Hsin; Chen, Bin; and Li, Xiaocan, "The relation between the energy conversion rate and reconnection rate in Petschek-type reconnection—Implications for solar flares" (2021). Faculty Publications. 3899.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/fac_pubs/3899