Reconnection of magnetic field lines through an electrostatic wave

Journal Article · Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991 · Physics of Fluids B; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.859963· OSTI ID:5448253

Kleva, R G ^[1]

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1. Laboratory for Plasma Research, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland (USA)

The effect of a short-wavelength electrostatic wave on the rate of reconnection of magnetic field lines by a growing long-wavelength tearing mode is investigated. The influence of the electrostatic wave depends strongly on the parity of the wave potential about the resonant surface of the tearing mode and on the relative magnitude of the plasma resistivity {eta} and viscosity {mu}, as well as on the amplitude of the wave. In general, by coupling the growing long-wavelength tearing mode with stable short-wavelength modes, the electrostatic wave has a stabilizing influence on the long-wavelength tearing mode. However, when the electrostatic wave potential is odd about the resonant surface, the same parity as the scalar potential associated with the tearing mode, and {mu}{much lt}{eta}, then there is a large increase in the growth rate of the tearing mode because of the presence of a large-amplitude electrostatic wave. Furthermore, a tearing mode that is stable in the absence of the wave can actually be destabilized by the wave. This increase in the growth rate appears to be due to a forced reconnection of opposing magnetic field lines by the flow associated with the electrostatic wave.

• OSTI ID: 5448253
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids B; (United States), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids B; (United States) Vol. 3:9; ISSN 0899-8221; ISSN PFBPE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640430 -- Fluid Physics-- Magnetohydrodynamics
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
AMPLITUDES
COUPLING
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
INSTABILITY
MAGNETIC FLUX
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
PARITY
PARTICLE PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
PLASMA WAVES
POTENTIALS
RESONANCE
STABILIZATION
TEARING INSTABILITY
VISCOSITY