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Abstract |
Magnetic reconnection is the process by which the enormous energy stored in magnetic fields
can be released as the kinetic energy of charged particles. A principal challenge is to explain
why reconnection in natural or laboratory plasmas can proceed rapidly from a relatively
quiescent state. Recent work has demonstrated that there are fundamental shortcomings in
classical magnetic reconnection theory. We will discuss these shortcomings, and present the
results of a new theory. We will test the new theory with computer simulations and
observations, and discuss open questions that remain. |
