Measuring 3D reconnection with a generalised flux function
by
Anthony Yeates(Durham University, UK)
→
Europe/Stockholm
122:026
122:026
Description
We will describe a novel way to define and measure a unique reconnection
rate in a 3D magnetic field without null points. This is a generalisation
of the familiar 2D concept of a magnetic flux function to the case of a 3D
field connecting two planar boundaries. Using hyperbolic fixed points of
the field line mapping, and their global stable and unstable manifolds, we
define a unique flux partition of the magnetic field. This partition is
more complicated than the standard construction in a 2D field, owing to
the possibility of heteroclinic points and chaotic magnetic regions.
Nevertheless, the partition reconnection rate is readily measured with the
generalised flux function. We show how this reconnection rate relates to
the common definition of 3D reconnection in terms of integrated parallel
electric field, and illustrate the concept of "topological effectiveness"
of a reconnection event.
