Contents

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents v
3. Preface ix
4. 1 Introduction 1
5. 2 Magnetic reconnection observed in space and laboratory plasmas 14
6. 3 Development of MHD theories for magnetic reconnection, and key observations in laboratory and space plasmas 30
7. 4 Kinetic description of the reconnection layer: One-dimensional Harris equilibrium and an experimental study 55
8. 5 Development of two-fluid theory for reconnection coordinated with key observations 65
9. 6 Laboratory plasma experiments dedicated to the study of magnetic reconnection 98
10. 7 Recent observations of magnetic reconnection in solar and astrophysical plasmas 117
11. 8 Recent observations of magnetic reconnection in space astrophysical plasmas 135
12. 9 Magnetic self-organization phenomena in plasmas and global magnetic reconnection 150
13. 10 Studies of energy conversion and flows in magnetic reconnection 177
14. 11 Analysis of energy flow and partitioning in the reconnection layer 198
15. 12 Cross-discipline study of the two-fluid dynamics of magnetic reconnection in laboratory and magnetopause plasmas 214
16. 13 The dynamo and the role of magnetic reconnection 223
17. 14 Magnetic reconnection in large systems 232
18. 15 Summary and future prospects 245
19. Appendix A Basic description of waves by dispersion relationship equations 252
20. Appendix B Plasma parameters for typical laboratory and natural plasmas 258
21. Appendix C Common notation 260
22. Bibliography 261
23. Index 281
24. Color Plates 299