RESISTIVE MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC SIMULATIONS OF RELATIVISTIC MAGNETIC RECONNECTION

Abstract

Resistive relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (RRMHD) simulations are applied to\ninvestigate the system evolution of relativistic magnetic reconnection. A\ntime-split Harten--Lan--van Leer method is employed. Under a localized\nresistivity, the system exhibits a fast reconnection jet with an Alfv\\'{e}nic\nLorentz factor inside a narrow Petschek-type exhaust. Various shock structures\nare resolved in and around the plasmoid such as the post-plasmoid vertical\nshocks and the "diamond-chain" structure due to multiple shock reflections.\nUnder a uniform resistivity, Sweet--Parker-type reconnection slowly evolves.\nUnder a current-dependent resistivity, plasmoids are repeatedly formed in an\nelongated current sheet. It is concluded that the resistivity model is of\ncritical importance for RRMHD modeling of relativistic magnetic reconnection.\n