Hall effects on dynamic magnetic reconnection at an X-type neutral point

Abstract

Aims. The goal of this paper is the examine the impact of the Hall current effects on magnetic reconnection solutions. Methods. The problem of perturbing a line-tied current free X-point equilibrium is considered. Computational results are presented which highlight how Hall currents influence the initial reconnection rate and the later asymptotic decay. Results. Resistive scaling laws are derived which quantify the decay rates of perturbations in terms the dimensionless resistivity η of the plasma, and the ion skin depth d i . Numerical computations confirm that the solution geometry changes character in the regime d i > √η.