Fast reconnection of magnetic fields in a plasma

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.864378· OSTI ID:6040533

Hu, P N

The reconnection process of magnetic fields in a plasma is analytically studied by perturbing the boundary conditions on a slab of incompressible plasma with a resonant surface inside. It is found, for small resistivity, that the reconnection takes place on an Alfven time scale and continues into a slow time scale t/sub 1/ = eta/sup 1/3/t. Both time scales are faster than the usual tearing time scale. Furthermore, the plasma evolves globally from its initial equilibrium on the slow time scale and settles down to a different final equilibrium.

• Research Organization: Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, New York 10012
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76ER03077
• OSTI ID: 6040533
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 26:8; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
ALFVEN WAVES
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
DISTURBANCES
EQUILIBRIUM
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
INSTABILITY
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
PLASMA PRESSURE
RESONANCE
SLABS
TEARING INSTABILITY