E-catalog        

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.

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.

Description based on online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on April 07, 2022).