Dynamics of the Plasmoid-unstable Regime in Different Multiple-current Plasmas
- Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Beams of the Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Technology, Dalian 116024 (China)
The dynamics of plasmoid instability in multiple-current plasmas with different system sizes is investigated by means of resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations. As the system size is increased, the secondary current sheets become very long, producing more plasmoids. It is found that the dependence on resistivity η of the number of plasmoids changes from no clear scaling for small system size, to scaling in ∼η{sup −1} for large system size. Moreover, increasing the current length of the system weakens the negative dependence of the early growth rate of the monster plasmoid on η. This is qualitatively different from the reconnection rate for a single-current sheet, where it usually has a positive dependence on η or is independent of η. In addition, increasing the current length significantly increases the maximum width of the monster plasmoid in the low-η regime, manifesting a scaling ∼η{sup −0.4}.
- OSTI ID:
- 22869466
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 835, Issue 2; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0004-637X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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