First-Principles Theory of the Relativistic Magnetic Reconnection Rate in Astrophysical Pair Plasmas

Matthew Goodbred and Yi-Hsin Liu
Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 265101 – Published 20 December 2022

Abstract

We develop a first-principles model for the relativistic magnetic reconnection rate in strongly magnetized pair plasmas. By considering the energy budget and required current density near the x-line, we analytically show that in the magnetically dominated relativistic regime, the x-line thermal pressure is significantly lower than the upstream magnetic pressure due to the extreme energy needed to sustain the current density, consistent with kinetic simulations. This causes the upstream magnetic field lines to collapse in, producing the open outflow geometry which enables fast reconnection. The result is important for understanding a wide range of extreme astrophysical environments, where fast reconnection has been evoked to explain observations such as transient flares and nonthermal particle signatures.

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  • Received 16 August 2022
  • Revised 16 October 2022
  • Accepted 15 November 2022

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.129.265101

© 2022 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Plasma PhysicsGravitation, Cosmology & Astrophysics

Authors & Affiliations

Matthew Goodbred and Yi-Hsin Liu

  • Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA

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Issue

Vol. 129, Iss. 26 — 23 December 2022

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