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Distinctive Features of the Structure of Current Sheets Formed in Plasma in Three-Dimensional Magnetic Configurations with an X line (a Review)

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Abstract

A review is presented of experimental results of the studies of the distinctive features of the structure and evolution of plasma current sheets that are formed in three-dimensional (3D) magnetic configurations with an X line in the presence of a longitudinal magnetic field component (guide field) directed along the X line. It is shown that, during the development of the current sheet, the longitudinal component of the guide field increases within the sheet. The excess guide field is sustained by the plasma currents that flow in the transverse plane with respect to the main current in the sheet, and as a result, the current structure becomes three-dimensional. When the guide field increases, the degree of compression into the sheet decreases, both of the electric current and the plasma, which is caused by the change in the balance of pressures in the sheet with the appearance of excess guide field. The deformation of plasma current sheets, and in particular, the appearance of asymmetrical and tilted current sheets in 3D magnetic configurations results from the excitation of Hall currents and their interaction with the guide field. It is shown that the formation of current sheets in 3D magnetic configurations with an X line is possible in a relatively wide but limited range of initial conditions.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To conclude, the author would like to express her gratitude to S.A. Savinov for useful discussions and his help in preparing this article for publication.

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  1. Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991, Moscow, Russia

    A. G. Frank

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  1. A. G. Frank
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Correspondence to A. G. Frank.

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Translated by E. Voronova

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Frank, A.G. Distinctive Features of the Structure of Current Sheets Formed in Plasma in Three-Dimensional Magnetic Configurations with an X line (a Review). Plasma Phys. Rep. 48, 574–584 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063780X22200144

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063780X22200144

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