Magnetic reconnection in a magnetohydrodynamic plasma

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.872827· OSTI ID:627762

Kulsrud, R M ^[1]

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1. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, MS 27, James Forrestal Campus, P.O. Box 451, Princeton, New Jersey08543-0451 (United States)

Magnetic reconnection is important because of its connection with the topology of field lines. In general, a change in topology means a change of equilibrium, and a release of energy, such as occurs in solar flares. In the context of the solar flare two models for magnetic reconnection, the Sweet{endash}Parker and the Petschek mechanism are presented. The pros and cons of these two models are presented. The role of anomalous resistivity in the Sweet{endash}Parker model is discussed. The bearing of a laboratory experiment and a boundary layer analysis of the problem are described. {copyright} {ital 1998 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 627762
• Report Number(s): CONF-971103--
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 5; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BOUNDARY LAYERS
ENERGY LOSSES
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
SOLAR FLARES
TOPOLOGY