Singular structure of magnetic islands resulting from reconnection

Journal Article · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 2004 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1807848· OSTI ID:20643945

Jemella, B D; Drake, J F; Shay, M A ^[1]

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1. University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742 (United States)

Magnetic island equilibria resulting from reconnection in magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations are explored in a two-dimensional slab geometry. Magnetic islands are evolved to finite amplitude with a nonzero resistivity. The resistivity and flows are then set to zero and the system is allowed to relax toward equilibrium. A y-type singular current layer in the equilibrium state is identified for all but systems with the smallest values of the tearing mode stability parameter {delta}{sup '}. It is shown that the length of the equilibrium y line tracks the length of the Sweet-Parker current layer that develops during reconnection. This suggests that the formation of Sweet-Parker current layers during magnetic reconnection in the resistive MHD model is a consequence of the presence of a singularity in post-reconnection state. A threshold in {delta}{sup '} for singular behavior is also identified.

• OSTI ID: 20643945
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 11; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
MAGNETIC ISLANDS
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
PLASMA
PLASMA SIMULATION
TEARING INSTABILITY
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS