Field line slippage rate signatures in nonlinear force-free field extrapolations

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ID: 317020
2026
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Abstract
Abstract Magnetic reconnection plays a central role in solar flares and coronal mass ejections. Identifying where reconnection is physically active within coronal magnetic field models is a key part of magnetic field analysis. We investigate the field line slippage rate as a physics-weighted proxy for three-dimensional reconnection in nonlinear force-free field (NLFFF) extrapolations. The slippage rate measures the instantaneous deviation of magnetic field lines from ideal evolution, due to non-ideal terms in Ohm’s law, providing a direct link between magnetic geometry and reconnection physics. For NLFFFs, we show that the resistivity-induced slippage rate is governed by cross-field gradients of the field-aligned twist, thus establishing a clear connection between current structure and reconnection signatures. We further examine its relationship to the squashing factor Q, used to identify quasi-separatrix layers (QSLs). By deriving a scaling estimate, we demonstrate that strong magnetic squashing amplifies slippage only insofar as it produces small transverse length scales; large values of Q alone do not guarantee significant reconnection. We apply this framework to a sequence of NLFFF extrapolations of NOAA active region 11158 spanning the X2.2 flare of 15 February 2011. The slippage rate reveals enhanced reconnection signatures associated with distinct phases of the active region’s evolution. In comparison with the squashing factor, we show that the field line slippage rate provides a physics-weighted complement to QSL analysis, distinguishing between regions that are geometrically favourable for reconnection and those where reconnection is physically significant.
Reference Key
openalex_W7164311337 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Sage Stanish, David MacTaggart
Journal monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/mnras/stag1114
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stag1114
Keywords Keywords not found

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