Abstract
The magnetic reconnection in collisionless regimes, where electron inertia is responsible for the decoupling of the plasma motion from that of the field lines, is discussed. Since the linear theory of m=1 modes breaks down for very small magnetic island widths, a non linear analysis is called for. Thus, the behaviour of a collisionless, 2-D fluid slab model in the limit {rho}/d -> 0, is analyzed. The main result is that, when the island size is larger than the linear layer but smaller than the equilibrium scale length, the reconnection rate exhibits a quasi-explosive time behaviour, during which a current density sub-layer narrower than the skin depth is formed. It is believed that the inclusion of the electron initial term in Ohm`s law opens the possibility to understand the rapidity of relaxation process observed in low collisionality plasmas. 7 refs., 6 figs.
Ottaviani, M;
[1]
Porcelli, F
[2]
- Commission of the European Communities, Abingdon (United Kingdom). JET Joint Undertaking
- Politecnico di Torino, Turin (Italy)
Citation Formats
Ottaviani, M, and Porcelli, F.
Nonlinear magnetic reconnection in low collisionality plasmas.
France: N. p.,
1994.
Web.
Ottaviani, M, & Porcelli, F.
Nonlinear magnetic reconnection in low collisionality plasmas.
France.
Ottaviani, M, and Porcelli, F.
1994.
"Nonlinear magnetic reconnection in low collisionality plasmas."
France.
@misc{etde_456181,
title = {Nonlinear magnetic reconnection in low collisionality plasmas}
author = {Ottaviani, M, and Porcelli, F}
abstractNote = {The magnetic reconnection in collisionless regimes, where electron inertia is responsible for the decoupling of the plasma motion from that of the field lines, is discussed. Since the linear theory of m=1 modes breaks down for very small magnetic island widths, a non linear analysis is called for. Thus, the behaviour of a collisionless, 2-D fluid slab model in the limit {rho}/d -> 0, is analyzed. The main result is that, when the island size is larger than the linear layer but smaller than the equilibrium scale length, the reconnection rate exhibits a quasi-explosive time behaviour, during which a current density sub-layer narrower than the skin depth is formed. It is believed that the inclusion of the electron initial term in Ohm`s law opens the possibility to understand the rapidity of relaxation process observed in low collisionality plasmas. 7 refs., 6 figs.}
place = {France}
year = {1994}
month = {Jul}
}
title = {Nonlinear magnetic reconnection in low collisionality plasmas}
author = {Ottaviani, M, and Porcelli, F}
abstractNote = {The magnetic reconnection in collisionless regimes, where electron inertia is responsible for the decoupling of the plasma motion from that of the field lines, is discussed. Since the linear theory of m=1 modes breaks down for very small magnetic island widths, a non linear analysis is called for. Thus, the behaviour of a collisionless, 2-D fluid slab model in the limit {rho}/d -> 0, is analyzed. The main result is that, when the island size is larger than the linear layer but smaller than the equilibrium scale length, the reconnection rate exhibits a quasi-explosive time behaviour, during which a current density sub-layer narrower than the skin depth is formed. It is believed that the inclusion of the electron initial term in Ohm`s law opens the possibility to understand the rapidity of relaxation process observed in low collisionality plasmas. 7 refs., 6 figs.}
place = {France}
year = {1994}
month = {Jul}
}