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Double layer formation during current sheet disruptions in a reconnection experiment
Author(s) -
Stenzel R. L.,
Gekelman W.,
Wild N.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl009i006p00680
Subject(s) - current sheet , magnetic reconnection , plasma sheet , physics , current (fluid) , plasma , solar flare , magnetic field , current density , atomic physics , mechanics , astrophysics , magnetohydrodynamics , magnetosphere , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics , thermodynamics
When the current density in the center of a neutral sheet is increased to a critical value spontaneous current disruptions are observed. The release of stored magnetic field energy results in a large inductive voltage pulse which drops off inside the plasma in the form of a potential double layer. Particles are energized, microinstabilities are generated, the plasma is thinned, and the current flow is redirected. These laboratory observations qualitatively support recent models of magnetic substorms and solar flares.