Magnetic reconnection, a key self-organization process in laboratory and astrophysical plasmas: Recent research progress

Abstract

Magnetic reconnection is a phenomenon of nature in which magnetic field lines change their topology and convert magnetic energy to plasma particles by acceleration and heating. The process can stretch out over time or occur quite suddenly. It is one of the most fundamental processes at work in laboratory and astrophysical plasmas. Magnetic reconnection occurs everywhere: In solar flares; coronal mass ejections; the earth's magnetosphere; in the star forming galaxies; and in plasma fusion devices. This paper reviews the most recent progress in the research of magnetic reconnection.