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GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 34, L11106, doi:10.1029/2007GL029815, 2007

Orientation of the reconnection X-line

M. Swisdak

Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA


J. F. Drake

Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA


Abstract

We propose a criterion for identifying the orientation of the X-line when two regions of plasma with arbitrary densities, temperatures, and magnetic fields undergo reconnection. The X-line points in the direction that maximizes the (suitably-defined) Alfvén speed characterizing the reconnection outflow. For many situations a good approximation is that the X-line bisects the angle formed by the magnetic fields.

Received 26 February 2007; accepted 2 May 2007; published 7 June 2007.

Keywords: reconnection; X-line.

Index Terms: 2723 Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetic reconnection (7526, 7835); 7835 Space Plasma Physics: Magnetic reconnection (2723, 7526); 7526 Solar Physics, Astrophysics, and Astronomy: Magnetic reconnection (2723, 7835).

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Citation: Swisdak, M., and J. F. Drake (2007), Orientation of the reconnection X-line, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L11106, doi:10.1029/2007GL029815.