Magnetic Reconnection Coupled with Heat Conduction

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Abstract
Magnetic reconnection coupled with nonlinear anisotropic heat conduction is studied by using a two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation. Owing to the heat conduction effect, the adiabatic slow-mode MHD shocks that emanate from the neutral point are dissociated into conduction fronts and isothermal shocks. The dependence on heat conductivity of the physical variables in the outflow region, such as temperature, density, and velocity, are studied. We also discuss the energy release and the reconnection rate.