Journal article
FAST MAGNETIC RECONNECTION AND SPONTANEOUS STOCHASTICITY
Abstract
Magnetic field lines in astrophysical plasmas are expected to be frozen-in at scales larger than the ion gyroradius. The rapid reconnection of magnetic-flux structures with dimensions vastly larger than the gyroradius requires a breakdown in the standard Alfvén flux-freezing law. We attribute this breakdown to ubiquitous MHD plasma turbulence with power-law scaling ranges of velocity and magnetic energy spectra. Lagrangian particle trajectories …
Authors
Eyink GL; Lazarian A; Vishniac ET
Journal
The Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 743, No. 1,
Publisher
American Astronomical Society
Publication Date
December 10, 2011
DOI
10.1088/0004-637x/743/1/51
ISSN
0004-637X