Challenges to Magnetic Reconnection Hypothesis: Plasma Energization Associated with Magnetic Topological Changes by Alfvenic Interaction in Active Cosmic Plasmas

Abstract:

Magnetic reconnection has been widely accepted as a fundamental physical process which emphasizes the importance of the breakdown of the frozen-in condition, explains the strong dependence of the geomagnetic activity on the IMF, and approximates an average qualitative description for many IMF controlled effects in the magnetospheric physics.

However, the crucial components of such models, such as (i) the definition of magnetic reconnection, (ii) the mechanism of the breakdown of the frozen-in condition, (iii) the mechanism of charged particle energization and acceleration during reconnection, (iv) the largely-accepted X-line reconnection picture, lack support from the fundamental comprehensive dynamic theory. In fact, the mechanisms of reconnection onset and high energy particle acceleration and energization associated with reconnection, and what control the rate of magnetic energy release have not been well given by existing theory of reconnection.

Electrostatic electric fields provide a powerful means of energizing charged particles to high energy. In particular, parallel electric fields are necessary for breaking down of the frozen-in condition. Based on the dynamical theory, we pointed out that the generation of electric fields are caused by Alfvenic interaction in inhomogenous electromagnetic plasmas (Song and Lysak, 2006), rather than by some diffusive or passive processes described by the generalized Ohm’s law.

Quasi-stationary electromagnetic non-neutralized plasma structures, such as Alfvenic double layers and Alfvenic charge holes, can be collectively created by the nonlinear interaction of MHD wave packets in inhomogeneous electromagnetic plasmas. These structures consist of localized strong longer-lasting electrostatic electric fields nested in a low density cavity and surrounded by enhanced magnetic or mechanical stresses. The localized powerful and long-lasting electrostatic electric fields can efficiently accelerate charged particles to high energy, constituting high energy particle accelerators.