Magnetic Reconnection in Two-Dimensional Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence

TLDR

Reconnection in turbulent plasmas is relevant to space and astrophysical contexts. The study examines the statistical properties of turbulence‑generated reconnection events. Locally, the events are modeled by a Sweet‑Parker variant with turbulence‑controlled parameters. Numerical simulations show many X‑type neutral points and a broad distribution of reconnection rates that scale with diffusion‑region geometry.

Abstract

Systematic analysis of numerical simulations of two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic turbulence reveals the presence of a large number of $X$-type neutral points where magnetic reconnection occurs. We examine the statistical properties of this ensemble of reconnection events that are spontaneously generated by turbulence. The associated reconnection rates are distributed over a wide range of values and scales with the geometry of the diffusion region. Locally, these events can be described through a variant of the Sweet-Parker model, in which the parameters are externally controlled by turbulence. This new perspective on reconnection is relevant in space and astrophysical contexts, where plasma is generally in a fully turbulent regime.