Abstract
The magnetic field in many astrophysical plasmas - such as the solar corona and Earth's magnetosphere - has been shown to have a highly complex, three-dimensional structure. Recent advances in theory and computational simulations have shown that reconnection in these fields also has a three-dimensional nature, in contrast to the widely used two-dimensional (or 2.5-dimensional) models. Here we discuss the underlying theory of three-dimensional magnetic reconnection. We also review a selection of new models that illustrate the current state of the art, as well as highlighting the complexity of energy release processes mediated by reconnection in complicated three-dimensional magnetic fields. (C) 2011 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1508-1522 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Advances in Space Research |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 3 May 2011 |
Keywords
- Magnetic fields
- Magnetic reconnection
- Magnetohydrodynamics
- Quasi-separatrix layers
- Parallel electric fields
- Current sheet formation
- Null points
- Solar corona
- 3 dimensions
- Kinematic reconnection
- Flux tubes
- Kink instability
- Aligned current