Abstract
Recently, it was demonstrated that magnetospheric current wedge drastically builds up as soon as the fast reconnection mechanism is triggered to cause three-dimensional magnetic field dipolarization in a finite extent in the east-west direction. The present paper further studies the current wedge dynamics for different values of kz, taken as a parameter, which specifies the effective east-west extent, inside which magnetic reconnection proceeds. It is demonstrated that only when the east-west width of the initial current sheet becomes 3–4 times larger than its thickness, the current wedge is allowed to drastically evolve; otherwise, no current wedge can occur. For the critical case, the temporal dynamics of fast reconnection and the associated current wedge evolution become more unsteady or impulsive; in particular, when the fast reconnection jet collides with the expanding magnetic loop, the sheet current, located at a considerable distance from the loop top, abruptly turns its direction to form a large-scale current wedge.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
