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Solar Orbiter observations of the structure of reconnection outflow layers in the solar wind

Owen, CJ; Foster, AC; Bruno, R; Livi, S; Louarn, P; Berthomier, M; Fedorov, A; ... al, E; + view all (2021) Solar Orbiter observations of the structure of reconnection outflow layers in the solar wind. Astronomy & Astrophysics , 656 , Article L8. 10.1051/0004-6361/202140944. Green open access

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Abstract

We briefly review an existing model of the structure of reconnection layers which predicts that several more distinct layers, in the form of contact discontinuities, rotational Alfvèn waves, or slow shocks, should be identifiable in solar wind reconnection events than are typically reported in studies of reconnection outflows associated with bifurcated current sheets. We re-examine this notion and recast the identification of such layers in terms of the changes associated with the boundaries of both the ion and electron outflows from the reconnection current layers. We then present a case study using Solar Orbiter MAG and SWA data, which provides evidence consistent with this picture of extended multiple layers around the bifurcated current sheet. A full confirmation of this picture requires more detailed examination of the particle distributions in this and other events. However, we believe this concept is a valuable framework for considering the nature of reconnection layers in the solar wind.

Type: Article
Title: Solar Orbiter observations of the structure of reconnection outflow layers in the solar wind
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202140944
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202140944
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: magnetic reconnection / solar wind / Sun: heliosphere / plasmas / magnetic fields
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Space and Climate Physics
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Space and Climate Physics > Advanced Instrumentation Systems
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10136153
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