EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Xie & Lin 2000
Xie, H. and Lin, Y. (2000). Two-dimensional hybrid simulation of the dayside reconnection layer and associated ion transport. Journal of Geophysical Research 105: doi: 10.1029/2000JA000143. issn: 0148-0227.

The structure of the reconnection layer at the dayside magnetopause is studied by using a two-dimensional (2-D) hybrid code. The simulation domain is a rectangle in the xz plane around an X line at the magnetopause. In our previous study the guide magnetic field By was assumed to be zero. In the present simulation the effects of a finite By on the reconnection layer are studied. In addition, the influence of shear flows on the magnetic reconnection is also investigated. In the cases with a shear flow speed ΔV=0, as near the subsolar region, a large-amplitude rotational discontinuity is present on the magnetosheath side of the reconnection layer, across which the magnetic field changes direction from the magnetosheath to the magnetosphere. A high-speed accelerated flow is present on the magnetospheric side of the rotational discontinuity. For a higher-latitude reconnection in the Northern Hemisphere, where a shear flow is present across the magnetopause, the structure of the reconnection layer northward of the X line is very different from that southward. Northward of the X line, the rotational discontinuity with a larger field rotational angle exists on the magnetospheric side if the shear flow speed ΔV>0.33(VAm-VAs), where VAm and VAs are the Alfv¿n speeds in the magnetosphere and the magnetosheath, respectively. Below the X line, a thin, strong rotational discontinuity is always present on the magnetosheath side. By tracing the orbits of individual ion particles, we have performed a detailed analysis of ion transmission and reflection at the magnetopause. The average transmission (reflection) rate of the magnetosheath ions is found to be ~85% (15%). The reflection of the magnetosheath ions occurs mainly in the inner boundary layer. ¿ 2000 American Geophysical Union

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Magnetospheric Physics
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit