Physics – Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010agufmsm42a..01g&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2010, abstract #SM42A-01
Physics
Plasma Physics
[7831] Space Plasma Physics / Laboratory Studies And Experimental Techniques, [7835] Space Plasma Physics / Magnetic Reconnection
Scientific paper
We report on two experiments in which three dimensional magnetic field line reconnection plays a role. Magnetic field line reconnection is a processes in which the magnetic field energy is converted to particle energy and heating accompanied by changes in the magnetic topology. In the first experiment two magnetic flux ropes are generated from initially adjacent pulsed current channels in a background magnetoplasma in the LAPD device at UCLA. The currents exert mutual jXB forces causing them to twist about each other and merge. The currents are not static but move towards or away from each other in time. In addition the currents are observed to filament after merging. Volumetric space-time data show multiple reconnection sites with time-dependent locations. The quasi-separatrix layer (QSL) is a narrow region between the flux ropes. Two field lines on either side of the QSL will have closely spaced foot-points at on end of the flux ropes, but a very different separation at the other end. Outside the QSL, neighboring field lines do not diverge. The QSL has been measured, for the first time in this experiment [1] and its three dimensional development will be shown in movies made from the data. A system involving the reconnection of three flux ropes will also be presented. Three flux ropes are generated by drawing currents through apertures in a carbon shield located in front of a 10 cm diameter cathode immersed in the background magnetoplasma. The currents are observed to twist about themselves, writhe about each other and thrash about due to kink the kink instability. Multiple reconnection regions (which are three dimensional) and a complex QSL are observed. The magnetic helicity is evaluated from volumetric data in both cases and its rate of change is used to estimate the plasma resistivity. These measurements lead one to suspect that magnetic field line reconnection is not an independent topic, which can be studied in isolation, but part of the phenomena associated with broader subject of 3D waves and current systems in plasmas. [1] E. Lawrence, W. Gekelman, Phys. Rev. Lett., 103, 105002 (2009). This work was done at the Basic Plasma Science Facility at UCLA and funded by NSF and DOE.
Gekelman W. N.
Lawrence E. E.
Van Compernolle B.
Vincena S. T.
No associations
LandOfFree
Three-Dimensional Magnetic Field Line Reconnection involving Magnetic Flux Ropes (Invited) does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Three-Dimensional Magnetic Field Line Reconnection involving Magnetic Flux Ropes (Invited), we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Three-Dimensional Magnetic Field Line Reconnection involving Magnetic Flux Ropes (Invited) will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1473074