Dynamics of the physical state during two-current-loop collisions

Abstract

A model of two-current-loop collisions is presented to explain the impulsive nature of solar flares. From MHD equations considering the gravity and resistivity effects we find self-consistent expressions and a set of equations governing the behavior of all physical quantities just after magnetic reconnection has taken place. Numerical simulations have revealed that the most important parameters of the problem are the plasmaβ and the ratio of initial values of pressure gradient in the longitudinal and radial directions. Thus, the low plasmaβ case during aY-type interaction (initial longitudinal pressure gradient is comparable with initial radial pressure gradient) shows a rapid pinch and simultaneous enhancement of all physical quantities, including the electric field components, which are important for high-energy particle acceleration. However, an increase of the plasmaβ causes a weakening of the pinch effect and a decrease of extreme values of all physical quantities. On the other hand, for anX-type collision (initial longitudinal pressure gradient is much greater than initial radial pressure gradient), which is able to provide a jet, the increase of the plasmaβ causes a high velocity jet. As for aI-type collision (initial longitudinal pressure gradient is much less than initial radial pressure gradient) it shows neither jet production nor very strong enhancement of physical quantities. We also consider direct and oblique collisions, taking into account both cases of partial and complete reconnection.