Simulation Models for Exploring Magnetic Reconnection

TL;DR

This paper reviews various simulation methods used to study magnetic reconnection, highlighting their assumptions, techniques, and scientific insights, due to the multiscale complexity of the phenomenon.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of different plasma simulation models for magnetic reconnection, detailing their assumptions and applications.

Findings

Different models capture specific aspects of reconnection

Simulation techniques vary in complexity and scale

Results enhance understanding of reconnection processes

Abstract

Simulations have played a critical role in the advancement of our knowledge of magnetic reconnection. However, due to the inherently multiscale nature of reconnection, it is impossible to simulate all physics at all scales. For this reason, a wide range of simulation methods have been crafted to study particular aspects and consequences of magnetic reconnection. This chapter reviews many of these methods, laying out critical assumptions, numerical techniques, and giving examples of scientific results. Plasma models described include magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), Hall MHD, Hybrid, kinetic particle-in-cell (PIC), kinetic Vlasov, Fluid models with embedded PIC, Fluid models with direct feedback from energetic populations, and the Rice Convection Model (RCM).