Numerical analysis of a current sheath near the line of zero magnetic field

A mathematical model is constructed and numerical study is carried out of a two-dimensional MHD-flow of plasma in the neighbourhood of a zero line of the magnetic field subjected to a disturbing electric field. The flow is the main element of reconnection of magnetic force lines and is of interest for the problems of solar flare mechanism, of magnetospheres of planets and in some problems of thermonuclear synthesis. It has been found that in the process of motion there appears a quasistationary current layer of the characteristic two-dimensional configuration with four branches corresponding to slow MHD-shock waves. The geometrical shape of the layer and the maximum value of current in it are primarily defined by plasma conductivity. The dependence of the properties of the layer on the gas pressure turned out to be very weak. The heat regime of the flow connected with heat conductivity and radiation strongly affects the plasma density distribution in the current layer