Recent Results from Magnetic Reconnection Experiment [MRX]

M. Yamada (Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University)

Magnetic reconnection plays a central role in the interaction between the solar 
wind and the earth's dipole field. The recent advance of numerical simulation on 
magnetic reconnection has played an important role to bridge laboratory data with 
space-astrophysical observations. Many common plasma physics mechanisms have been 
identified in the key physics including two-fluid MHD dynamics [1], role of lower 
hybrid waves [2], and particle heating and acceleration. The recent results from MRX on 
magnetic reconnection [3] depict many striking commonalities and interesting 
differences with the observations in the dayside and tail-side magnetosphere sheaths [4-
5]. Both in laboratory and space plasmas, it has been recognized that a guide field plays 
an important role in the reconnection process. 

This talk reviews the most recent progress of the MRX research together with 
comparison of the current MRX data with the recent space observations and numerical 
simulation results. This talk also briefly covers the goals and principles of the recent 
new initiatives to attack the common frontier of both laboratory and space astrophysics 
research.

1. J.F. Drake et al. Geophys. Res, Lett. 24, 2921 (1997), 
   M.A. Shay et al J. Geophys. Res.   103, 9165 (1998)
2. I. Shinohara et al., J.Geophys.Res.103, 20365 (1998). 
3. M. Yamada, Earth Planets Space v.53, 539 (2001)
4. F. Mozer et al., Phys. Rev. Lett 89, 15002-1 (2002); 
5. T. D. Phan et al.,  Nature, 404:848, (2000).