Intuitive approach to magnetic reconnection

Journal Article · Tue Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 2011 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3628312· OSTI ID:22047031

Kulsrud, Russell M ^[1]

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1. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey 08544 (United States)

Two reconnection problems are considered. The first problem concerns global physics. The plasma in the global reconnection region is in magnetostatic equilibrium. It is shown that this equilibrium can be uniquely characterized by a set of constraints. During reconnection and independently of the local reconnection physics, these constraints can be uniquely evolved from any initial state. The second problem concerns Petschek reconnection. Petschek's model for fast reconnection, which is governed by resistive MHD equations with constant resistivity is not validated by numerical simulations. Malyshkin et al.[Phys. Plasmas 12, 102920 (2005)], showed that the reason for the discrepancy is that Petschek did not employ Ohm's law throughout the local diffusion region, but only at the X-point. A derivation of Petschek reconnection, including Ohm's law throughout the entire diffusion region, removes the discrepancy. This derivation is based largely on Petschek's original 1964 calculation [in AAS-NASA Symposium on Solar Flares (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C., 1964), NASA SP50, p. 425]. A useful physical interpretation of the role which Ohm's law plays in the diffusion region is presented.

• OSTI ID: 22047031
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 18; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
CHARGED-PARTICLE TRANSPORT
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DIFFUSION
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
OHM LAW
PLASMA
PLASMA SIMULATION
SOLAR FLARES