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On reconnexion experiments and their interpertation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2009

P. J. Baum  and
A. Bratenahl
P. J. Baum
Affiliation:
Physics Department and Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Riverside, California 92521
A. Bratenahl
Affiliation:
Physics Department and Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Riverside, California 92521
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Abstract

A number of reconnexion concepts and experiments are briefly reviewed in order to re-examine the present interpretation of these experiments. In particular, we offer explanations as to why some experiments appear to develop Petschek modes, tearing modes, or netural current sheets. The explanations require an understanding of the proper role of magnetic Reynolds numbers, the limits of the frozen-in concept, and the importance of natural importance of natural boundary conditions. We find that netural current sheets usually from in experiments with highly symmetrical (and therefore unnatural) boundary conditions. The classical tearing mode develops from perturbations of a neutral current sheet. In less constrained geometries multiple neutral points may appear but the classical tearing mode theory needs modification to explain these cases rigorously. A Petschek mode develops in even less constrained systems although the theoretical description is highly idealized. We offer explanations as to why some experimenters appear to find neutral current sheets in quadrupole fields and examine the usefulness of concepts derived from neutral current sheet theory.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Plasma Physics , Volume 18 , Issue 2 , October 1977 , pp. 257 - 272
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

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