Three-Dimensional Structure Of Magnetic Reconnection In A Laboratory Plasma

Authors

C. D. CothranFollow
Matthew Joseph Landreman , '03Follow
Michael R. Brown, Swarthmore CollegeFollow
W. H. Matthaeus

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-6-2003

Published In

Geophysical Research Letters

Abstract

The local three-dimensional structure of magnetic reconnection has been measured for the first time in a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) laboratory plasma at the Swarthmore Spheromak Experiment. An array of 600 magnetic probes which resolve ion inertial length and MHD time scale dynamics on a single shot basis measured the magnetic structure of partial spheromak merging events. Counter-helicity spheromaks merge rapidly, and reconnection activity clearly self-generates a local component of B which breaks the standard 2D symmetry at the ion inertial scale. Consistent with prior results, no reconnection is observed for co-helicity merging.

Comments

This work is freely available courtesy of the American Geophysical Union and Wiley.

Recommended Citation

C. D. Cothran et al. (2003). "Three-Dimensional Structure Of Magnetic Reconnection In A Laboratory Plasma". Geophysical Research Letters. Volume 30, Issue 5. DOI: 10.1029/2002GL016497
https://works.swarthmore.edu/fac-physics/87