Stuttgart 2012 – scientific programme
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SYGP: Symposium Gemeinsame Probleme in Fusions- und astrophysikalischen Plasmen
SYGP 3: Contributed Talks
SYGP 3.8: Talk
Monday, March 12, 2012, 18:15–18:30, V55.22
A dedicated laboratory experiment on magnetic reconnection — •Adrian von Stechow1, Hannes Bohlin1, Olaf Grulke1, and Thomas Klinger1,2 — 1Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik, EURATOM Assoziation, Greifswald — 2Ernst Moritz Arndt-Universität Greifswald
Magnetic reconnection is a process in which a topological rearrangement of magnetic fields results in energy release on small length and time scales. This process takes place in the current sheet which forms at the boundary between opposed magnetic fields as can be found in fusion experiments as well as in space plasmas. The diagnostic of these phenomena is restricted either by technical limitations or harsh environments. In contrast, low temperature plasma experiments provide a wide range of well-defined plasma parameters which enables a controllable reconnection environment and bridges the gap between space and fusion experiments. Detailed spatiotemporal studies of microscopic plasma dynamics are of great significance, especially in the collisionless regime, in which the reconnection rate deviates considerably from that obtained in classical resistive MHD models. Here, small-scale effects such as kinetic instabilities and anomalous resistivity are believed to play an important role. To enable diagnostic access to these effects, the linearly magnetized plasma device VINETA has been upgraded. The addition of a new module of large dimensions allows for a closed reconnection field line configuration. The present status of this new dedicated reconnection experiment is presented along with planned measurement campaigns for the future.