On the relativistic magnetic reconnection

TLDR

Magnetic reconnection is studied when magnetic energy exceeds the rest energy of matter. The Sweet–Parker and Petschek models generalize to the relativistic regime by substituting the Alfvén speed with the speed of light, producing mildly relativistic outflows in Sweet–Parker and ultrarelativistic outflows with narrow slow‑shock angles in Petschek, and strong compression can magnetize the outflow if the reconnecting fields are not exactly antiparallel.

Abstract

Reconnection of the magnetic lines of force is considered in case the magnetic energy exceeds the rest energy of the matter. It is shown that the classical Sweet–Parker and Petschek models are generalized straightforwardly to this case and the reconnection rate may be estimated by substituting the Alfven velocity in the classical formulae with the speed of light. The outflow velocity in the Sweet–Parker configuration is mildly relativistic. In the Petschek configuration, the outflow velocity is ultrarelativistic whereas the angle between the slow shocks is very small. As a result of the strong compression, the plasma outflow in the Petschek configuration may become strongly magnetized if the reconnecting fields are not exactly antiparallel.