Particle-in-Cell Simulations of Magnetic Reconnection in Collisionless Force-Free Current Sheets

Magnetic reconnection is one of the most fundamental physical processes in plasmas. It is especially important for activity processes in space and astrophysical plasmas. We investigate magnetic reconnection in collisionless plasmas, focussing on current sheet configurations for which the current density is parallel to the magnetic field, i.e. force-free current sheets. Read more

Reconnection in Space Plasmas

The storage and release of magnetic energy is fundamental for many activity processes in solar system and astrophysical plasmas. When magnetic energy is released the magnetic field lines often reconfigure in a process which scientists call magnetic reconnection. Read more