"Experimental
Research of Formation and Evolution of Current Sheets and Magnetic
Reconnection Phenomena in 2D and 3D Magnetic Configurations
A.
G. Frank, S. Yu. Bogdanov, N. P. Kyrie, V. S. Markov
(General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences)
Abstract:
Experimental
results are presented on the current sheet (CS) formation and evolution
and magnetic reconnection processes in 2D and 3D magnetic configurations
with some topological singularities: null-lines, null points, singular
lines.
Evolution
of CS in 2D magnetic fields with the null-lines manifests the principal
features of flare-type phenomena, including gradual accumulation of
magnetic energy, its fast release, plasma heating, mass ejections,
acceleration of charged particles. The ways of magnetic energy
transformation (mostly into the thermal or kinetic plasma energy) depend
significantly on the CS internal magnetic structure.
Considerable
recent attention has been concentrated on the study of 3D magnetic
configurations. We have revealed that CS formation occurs in various 3D
non-uniform fields, both with and without isolated magnetic null-points,
specifically in magnetic configurations with X-lines, i.e. in a presence
of an intense longitudinal magnetic field component. Parameters of CS are
governed by the characteristics of 3D magnetic configuration. CS can form
a twisted surface, and then its angular orientation is controlled by a
local value of the transverse magnetic field gradient. Plasma density
inside the CS goes down in a presence of the longitudinal magnetic field
component, displaying a gradual transition to a behavior of the
uncompressible plasma.
The
experimental data demonstrate that plasma flows in the non-uniform
magnetic fields result in the formation of CS and thus produce the basis
for the magnetic reconnection phenomena.