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Abstract: Magnetic reconnection is an explosive process of energy conversion in which magnetic field energy is rapidly converted into heat and kinetic energy of the surrounding plasma. Occurring wherever there are twisted magnetic fields, reconnection may be responsible for massive flares around black holes and neutron stars, where plasma particles are accelerated close to the speed of light. Using theoretical analysis and particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, we study the structure and rate of this relativistic reconnection in the case that the reconnecting magnetic fields are not exactly anti-parallel (i.e. there is a guide field). Along with discussing other unique features of relativistic guide field reconnection, we observe a layered current structure and offer an explanation in terms of the plasma flow patterns set up by the guide field. This layered structure may have implications for particle acceleration in the diffusion region. We then attempt to decipher the factors controlling the reconnection rate in the relativistic guide field regime. We show that x-line pressure depletion is not an effective localization mechanism with a guide field, then explain the observed fast rate as a result of the tearing instability within the aforementioned current layers. This analysis leads to a consistent story of dynamical regulation of the reconnection rate.  

Advisor: Professor Yi-Hsin Liu

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Meeting ID: 959 1950 8201
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