Reconnection of magnetic fields : magnetohydrodynamics and collisionless theory and observations /
edited by J. Birn and E.R. Priest.
- Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2007.
- 1 online resource (xii, 342 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).
Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).
Introduction -- The sun / Earth's magnetosphere / Basic theory of MHD reconnection -- Classical theory of two-dimensional reconnection / Fundamental concepts / Three-dimensional reconnection in the absence of magnetic null points / Three-dimensional reconnection at magnetic null points / Three-dimensional flux tube reconnection / Basic theory of collisionless reconnection -- Fundamentals of collisionless reconnection / Diffusion region physics / Onset of magnetic reconnection / E.R. Priest -- J. Birn -- T.G. Forbes -- G. Hornig -- G. Hornig -- D.I. Pontin -- M.G. Linton -- J.F. Drake and M.A. Shay -- M. Hesse -- P.L. Pritchett. 1. 1.1. 1.2. 2. 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. 2.4. 2.5. 3. 3.1. 3.2. 3.3.
The reconnection of magnetic fields is one of the most fascinating processes in plasma physics, responsible for phenomena such as solar flares and magnetospheric substorms. The concept of reconnection has developed through recent advances in exploring the magnetospheres of the Sun and Earth through theory, computer simulations and spacecraft observations. The great challenge in understanding it stems from balancing the large volumes of plasma and magnetic fields involved with the energy release with the physical mechanism which relies on the strongly localized behavior of charged particles. This book, edited by and with contributions from leading scientists in the field, provides a comprehensive overview of recent theoretical and observational findings concerning the physics of reconnection and the complex structures that may give rise to, or develop from, reconnection. It is intended for researchers and graduate students interested in the dynamics of plasmas.