The essential introduction to magnetic reconnection--written by a leading pioneer of the fieldPlasmas comprise more than 99 percent of the visible universe; and, wherever plasmas are, magnetic reconnection occurs. In this common and yet incompletely understood physical process, oppositely directed magnetic fields in a plasma meet, break, and then reconnect, converting the huge amounts of energy stored in magnetic fields into kinetic and thermal energy. In Magnetic Reconnection, Masaaki Yamada offers an illuminating synthesis of modern research and advances on this important topic. Magnetic reconnection produces such phenomena as solar flares and the northern lights, and occurs in nuclear fusion devices. A better understanding of this crucial cosmic activity is essential to comprehending the universe and varied technological applications, such as satellite communications. Most of our knowledge of magnetic reconnection comes from theoretical and computational models and laboratory experiments, but space missions launched in recent years have added up-close observation and measurements to researchers' tools. Describing the fundamental physics of magnetic reconnection, Yamada connects the theory with the latest results from laboratory experiments and space-based observations, including the Magnetic Reconnection Experiment (MRX) and the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) Mission. He concludes by considering outstanding problems and laying out a road map for future research.Aimed at advanced graduate students and researchers in plasma astrophysics, solar physics, and space physics, Magnetic Reconnection provides cutting-edge information vital area of scientific investigation.

• Cover
• Contents
• Preface
• 1. Introduction
  • 1.1 Concept of magnetic reconnection and its development
  • 1.2 Recent development and progress of understanding magnetic reconnection
  • 1.3 Major questions
• 2. Magnetic reconnection observed in space and laboratory plasmas
  • 2.1 Magnetic reconnection in solar flares
  • 2.2 Magnetic reconnection in the magnetosphere
  • 2.3 Magnetic reconnection in self-organization in fusion plasmas
  • 2.4 An observation of a prototypical reconnection layer in a laboratory experiment
• 3. Development of MHD theories for magnetic reconnection, and key observations in laboratory and space plasmas
  • 3.1 Early history of MHD theory on magnetic reconnection
  • 3.2 Description of plasma fluid in magnetic fields by MHD
  • 3.3 The flux freezing principle and maintaining plasma equilibrium
  • 3.4 Breakdown of flux freezing and magnetic reconnection
  • 3.5 Resistive MHD theories and magnetic reconnection
  • 3.6 Experimental analysis of the magnetic reconnection layer based on MHD models
• 4. Kinetic description of the reconnection layer: One-dimensional Harris equilibrium and an experimental study
  • 4.1 One-dimensional Harris formulation and solutions
  • 4.2 Theory of the generalized Harris sheet
  • 4.3 Experimental investigation of the Harris sheet
  • 4.4 Additional comments and discussion
• 5. Development of two-fluid theory for reconnection coordinated with key observations
  • 5.1 Reconnection in the magnetosphere and two-fluid dynamics
  • 5.2 Relationship between the two-fluid formulation and MHD
  • 5.3 Development of particle-in-cell simulations
  • 5.4 Results from two-dimensional numerical simulations for collisionless reconnection
  • 5.5 Profile and characteristics of the two-fluid reconnection layer
  • 5.6 Experimental observations of two-fluid effects in the reconnection layer
  • 5.7 Observation of a two-scale reconnection layer with identification of the electron diffusion layer in a laboratory plasma
  • 5.8 Waves in the reconnection layer and enhanced resistivity
• 6. Laboratory plasma experiments dedicated to the study of magnetic reconnection
  • 6.1 Early laboratory experiments on reconnection
  • 6.2 Experiments of toroidal plasma merging
  • 6.3 Controlled driven reconnection experiments
  • 6.4 Main facilities dedicated to reconnection study
• 7. Recent observations of magnetic reconnection in solar and astrophysical plasmas
  • 7.1 Features of magnetic reconnection in solar flare eruptions
  • 7.2 Development of the standard solar flare model and magnetic reconnection
  • 7.3 Breakout model with a multipolar magnetic configuration
  • 7.4 Magnetic reconnection occurs impulsively
  • 7.5 A model of magnetic reconnection in the Crab Nebula
  • 7.6 Notes on fast collisionless reconnection in space astrophysical plasmas
• 8. Recent observations of magnetic reconnection in space astrophysical plasmas
  • 8.1 Magnetic reconnection layer in the magnetosphere
  • 8.2 Observational studies of magnetic reconnection in the magnetosphere with the aid of numerical simulations
  • 8.3 Electron-scale measurements of the reconnection layer in the magnetopause
  • 8.4 Electron-scale dynamics of the symmetric reconnection layer in the magnetotail
• 9. Magnetic self-organization phenomena in plasmas and global magnetic reconnection
  • 9.1 Magnetic self-organization in plasmas
  • 9.2 Magnetic self-organization in laboratory plasmas
  • 9.3 Impulsive self-organization in space and laboratory plasmas
  • 9.4 Magnetic self-organization in line-tied magnetic flux ropes: Laboratory study of solar flare eruption phenomena
• 10. Studies of energy conversion and flows in magnetic reconnection
  • 10.1 Experimental study of magnetic energy conversion in the reconnection layer in a laboratory plasma
  • 10.2 Experimental setup and plasma parameters
  • 10.3 Electron flow dynamics studied by measured flow vectors
  • 10.4 Observation of energy deposition on electrons and electron heating
  • 10.5 Generation of an electric potential well in the two-fluid reconnection layer
  • 10.6 Ion acceleration and heating in the two-fluid reconnection layer
  • 10.7 Experimental study of the dynamics and the energetics of asymmetric reconnection
• 11. Analysis of energy flow and partitioning in the reconnection layer
  • 11.1 Formulation for a quantitative study of energy flow in the reconnection layer
  • 11.2 Analysis of energy flow in the two-fluid formulation
  • 11.3 Experimental study of the energy inventory in two-fluid analysis
  • 11.4 Particle-in-cell simulations for the MRX energetics experiments
  • 11.5 A simple analytical model of energy conversion in the two-fluid reconnection layer
  • 11.6 Summary and discussions on the energy inventory of the reconnection layer
• 12. Cross-discipline study of the two-fluid dynamics of magnetic reconnection in laboratory and magnetopause plasmas
  • 12.1 Background of a collaborative study of two-fluid dynamics in the reconnection layer
  • 12.2 Dynamics of the electron diffusion region and energy deposition measured by MRX
  • 12.3 Dynamics of the electron diffusion region and energy deposition measured by MMS
  • 12.4 Ion dynamics and energetics in MRX and the magnetosphere
• 13. The dynamo and the role of magnetic reconnection
  • 13.1 Galactic magnetic fields and basic MHD theory
  • 13.2 The Biermann battery dynamo
  • 13.3 Research on dynamo effects in laboratory fusion plasmas
  • 13.4 Effects of a two-fluid dynamo in an RFP plasma
• 14. Magnetic reconnection in large systems
  • 14.1 Development of plasmoid theory
  • 14.2 Effects of MHD turbulence on magnetic reconnection
  • 14.3 Experimental status of magnetic reconnection research for a large system
  • 14.4 Magnetic reconnection in a large system of electron–positron pair plasma
  • 14.5 Impulsive reconnection in a large system
• 15. Summary and future prospects
  • 15.1 Major findings from local analysis
  • 15.2 Major findings from global analysis
  • 15.3 Outstanding issues and future research
  • 15.4 Closing remarks
• Appendix A. Basic description of waves by dispersion relationship equations
  • A.1 Basic description of waves in cold plasmas
  • A.2 The dispersion relation
• Appendix B. Plasma parameters for typical laboratory and natural plasmas
  • B.1 Plasma parameter diagram
  • B.2 Typical plasma parameters and formulae
• Appendix C. Common notation
• Bibliography
• Index
• Color Plates
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