3-D MHD SIMULATION OF PLASMOID FORMATION DURING COALESCENCE OF 2 CURRENT LOOPS

Citation
T. Fushiki et Ji. Sakai, 3-D MHD SIMULATION OF PLASMOID FORMATION DURING COALESCENCE OF 2 CURRENT LOOPS, Solar physics, 156(2), 1995, pp. 265-280
Citations number
29
Categorie Soggetti
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Journal title
ISSN journal
00380938
Volume
156
Issue
2
Year of publication
1995
Pages
265 - 280
Database
ISI
SICI code
0038-0938(1995)156:2<265:3MSOPF>2.0.ZU;2-Y
Abstract
We consider two force-free current loops, as proposed by Gold and Hoyl e (1960), as the initial current loops, to investigate two types of th e magnetic reconnection process, the partial and complete reconnection s during coalescence of these loops, by using a 3-D resistive MI-ID co de. It is shown that two plasmoids can be produced on both sides of th e coalescence area by both types of the magnetic reconnection process during coalescence of two current loops. It is also shown that strong fast magnetosonic waves can be induced in the partial reconnection cas e of two-current-loop collision. When two current loops collide locall y at two points, four plasmoids can be produced and two of these plasm oids merge into one.