Relativistic Asymmetric Reconnection

TL;DR

This paper develops scaling laws for relativistic magnetic reconnection with asymmetric inflow conditions, validated by simulations, enhancing understanding of high-energy astrophysical phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces new scaling equations for asymmetric relativistic reconnection and confirms their validity through kinetic simulations.

Findings

Outflow speeds are limited by the weaker magnetic energy per particle.

Reconnection rate predictions match simulation results.

Nonthermal spectral indices depend on inflow asymmetry.

Abstract

We derive basic scaling equations for relativistic magnetic reconnection in the general case of asymmetric inflow conditions and obtain predictions for the outflow Lorentz factor and the reconnection rate. Kinetic Particle-in-Cell simulations show that the outflow speeds as well as the nonthermal spectral index are constrained by the inflowing plasma with the weaker magnetic energy per particle, in agreement with the scaling predictions. These results are significant for understanding non-thermal emission from reconnection in magnetically-dominated, astrophysical systems, many of which may be asymmetric in nature. The results provide a quantitative approach for including asymmetry on reconnection in the relativistic regime.