Spontaneous fast reconnection evolution in three dimensions

M. Ugai and K. Kondoh

Magnetic reconnection responsible for flare phenomena should have the 
following features. Namely, it does not occur effectively until magnetic 
energy is critically stored; then, the fast reconnection mechanism 
involving standing slow shocks should suddenly build up. Since 
critically enhanced currents may have the key to flare triggering, the 
spontaneous fast reconnection model takes such a current-driven 
anomalous resistivity that has a large threshold its occurrence. We have 
demonstrated in two dimensions that the fast reconnection mechanism can 
evolve as a nonlinear instability and be sustained steadily as an 
eventual solution. In this paper, the spontaneous fast reconnection 
model in three dimensions is extensively examined.