Multiple-scale current sheet dynamics of guide-field reconnection

3D current sheet (with sample magnetic field lines).

©  von Stechow, Grulke, Klinger, Plasma Phys. Contr. F., 58, 014016 (2015)

Dr. Adrian von Stechow
(Institut für Plasmaphysik; Greifswald)
Freitag/Friday, 2016-12-16 14:00 c.t., EW 561
Eugene-Paul-Wigner Gebäude, Hardenbergstr. 36, 10623 Berlin

Zusammenfassung/Abstract:
Magnetic reconnection is a generic plasma process that enables the release of accumulated magnetic energy by rapid changes in magnetic topology, generating fast particles and allowing a wealth of instabilities to grow. A central feature is the formation of a highly localized current sheet. Its detailed properties determine the rate at which reconnection proceeds and must be considered on many different spatial and temporal scales. These range from the global boundary conditions, to its plasma parameters all the way down to microscopic fluctuations stemming from instabilities.

VINETA.II is a linear, moderate to high guide field reconnection experiment. Its current sheet display fully three-dimensional dynamics with small-scale and high- frequency magnetic fluctuations. These features are characterized with respect to their influence on the overall reconnection dynamics, complemented by guide field reconnection measurements performed at the MRX experiment as well as EMHD and hybrid PIC simulations which are carried out in the scope of the Max-Planck Princeton Center for plasma physics.