Influences of the out-of-plane streaming flows on the nonlinear evolution of double tearing mode in magnetohydrodynamics

Abstract Influences of the out-of-plane streaming flows on the nonlinear evolution of double tearing mode in resistive magnetohydrodynamics have been studied. The results show that the streaming flow has an enhancing effect on the double tearing instabilities. It is found that the streaming flow facilitates the merging process of upper (lower) magnetic islands formed by reconnection starting at the upper (lower) current sheets. The nonlinear abrupt progression stage of double tearing mode is advanced as the streaming flow velocity increases. It is also found that the nonlinear amplification phase of double tearing mode is delayed/advanced with the increase/decrease of the flow width, depending on the flow shear strength. Meanwhile, the magnetic reconnection process is markedly intensified as the streaming flow shear strength increases. These findings provide significant contributions to the study of tearing mode instability development under the influence of outflows.