Magnetic Reconnection — Harris Sheet

X-Point Formation, Field-Line Topology Change & Plasma Jetting
Reconnection rate0.10
Sheet thickness λ0.50
Guide field B_z0.00
E_rec = — Alfvén speed v_A = — Sweet-Parker rate = — Energy released = 0 %
Harris sheet: B = B₀ tanh(y/λ) x̂ — current sheet equilibrium with antiparallel fields. Reconnection at the X-point (null point) changes field-line topology, releasing magnetic energy. Sweet-Parker model: reconnection rate ∝ S^{-1/2} (S = Lundquist number). Petschek model allows faster rate. The X-point jets plasma outward at ≈ v_A (Alfvén speed). In space, drives solar flares and geomagnetic storms.