1. Magnetic reconnection
A change in magnetic topology
in the presence of a plasma
Assume externally-driven plasma flow (inputs energy)
Plasma carrying a current
Magnetic fields j
Jan Egedal, 2007

2. Magnetic reconnection
A change in magnetic topology
in the presence of a plasma
Assume externally-driven plasma flow (inputs energy)
Jan Egedal, 2007

3. Magnetic reconnection
A change in magnetic topology
in the presence of a plasma
Assume externally-driven plasma flow (inputs energy)
Jan Egedal, 2007

4. Magnetic reconnection
A change in magnetic topology
in the presence of a plasma
Assume externally-driven plasma flow (inputs energy)
Jan Egedal, 2007

5. Magnetic reconnection
A change in magnetic topology
in the presence of a plasma
Magnetic configuration now has less energy
Nearly all the initial magnetic energy is converted into:
1. thermal energy
2. kinetic energy on fast electrons and ions
3. kinetic energy of large scale flows
Jan Egedal, 2007

6. Magnetic reconnection
A change in magnetic topology
in the presence of a plasma
Magnetic configuration now has less energy
-Magnetic energy release requires change in magnetic topology: field lines breaking and re-connecting
-Reconnection is impossible in a perfectly conducting (very hot) ideal plasma, as plasma current can adjust arbitrarily (Alfvén’s theorem1)
1see e.g. D. Griffiths, Electrodynamics
Jan Egedal, 2007