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Plasmas comprise more than 99 percent of the visible universe and, wherever plasmas are, magnetic reconnection occurs. In this common 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 links 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 on a vital area of scientific investigation.
Introduction
Magnetic reconnection observed in space and laboratory plasmas
Development of MHD theories for magnetic reconnection, and key observations in laboratory and space plasmas
Kinetic description of the reconnection layer: One-dimensional Harris equilibrium and an experimental study
Development of two-fluid theory for reconnection coordinated with key observations
Laboratory plasma experiments dedicated to the study of magnetic reconnection
Recent observations of magnetic reconnection in solar and astrophysical plasmas
Recent observations of magnetic reconnection in space astrophysical plasmas
Magnetic self-organization phenomena in plasmas and global magnetic reconnection
Studies of energy conversion and flows in magnetic reconnection
Analysis of energy flow and partitioning in the reconnection layer
Cross-discipline study of the two-fluid dynamics of magnetic reconnection in laboratory and magnetopause plasmas
The dynamo and the role of magnetic reconnection
Magnetic reconnection in large systems
Summary and future prospects