Magnetic reconnection

Journal Article · Fri Jan 15 04:00:00 UTC 2010 · Reviews of Modern Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/REVMODPHYS.82.603· OSTI ID:22038489

Yamada, Masaaki; Kulsrud, Russell; Ji, Hantao ^[1]

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1. Center for Magnetic Self-Organization in Laboratory and Astrophysical Plasmas, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08543 (United States)

The fundamental physics of magnetic reconnection in laboratory and space plasmas is reviewed by discussing results from theory, numerical simulations, observations from space satellites, and recent results from laboratory plasma experiments. After a brief review of the well-known early work, representative recent experimental and theoretical works are discussed and the essence of significant modern findings are interpreted. In the area of local reconnection physics, many findings have been made with regard to two-fluid physics and are related to the cause of fast reconnection. Profiles of the neutral sheet, Hall currents, and the effects of guide field, collisions, and microturbulence are discussed to understand the fundamental processes in a local reconnection layer in both space and laboratory plasmas. While the understanding of the global reconnection dynamics is less developed, notable findings have been made on this issue through detailed documentation of magnetic self-organization phenomena in fusion plasmas. Application of magnetic reconnection physics to astrophysical plasmas is also discussed.

• OSTI ID: 22038489
• Journal Information: Reviews of Modern Physics, Journal Name: Reviews of Modern Physics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 82; ISSN 0034-6861; ISSN RMPHAT
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
ASTROPHYSICS
COLLISIONS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
FLUIDS
LAYERS
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
PLASMA
SATELLITES