Magnetic Reconnection: MHD Theory and Applications

Magnetic reconnection is at the core of many dynamic phenomena in the universe, such as solar flares, geomagnetic substorms and tokamak disruptions. In an authoritative volume, two world leaders on the subject give a comprehensive overview of this fundamental process. The book provides both a full account of the basic theory and a wide-ranging review of the physical phenomena created by reconnection - from laboratory machines, the Earth's magnetosphere, and the Sun's atmosphere to flare stars and astrophysical accretion disks. It also provides a succinct account of various mechanisms of particle acceleration and of how reconnection can be important in such mechanisms. The clear and pedagogical style makes this book an essential introduction for graduate students and an authoritative reference for researchers in solar physics, astrophysics, plasma physics and space science.

Table of Contents:
Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Current-sheet formation; 3. Magnetic annihilation; 4. Steady reconnection: the classical solutions; 5. Steady reconnection: new generation of fast regimes; 6. Unsteady reconnection: the tearing mode; 7. Unsteady reconnection: other approaches; 8. Reconnection in three dimensions; 9. Laboratory applications; 10. Magnetospheric applications; 11. Solar applications; 12. Astrophysical applications; 13. Particle acceleration; References; Appendices; Index.

Review :
'Solar and stellar flares, geomagnetic sub-storms and tokamak (toroidal magnetic chamber) disruptions are amongst the most dynamic reconnection phenomena studied today. there are few areas of astrophysics in the broader Universe, too, which do not involve reconnection. Two renowned experts in the field have set out the modern approach to this fascinating and universal topic. Vital reading for students and researchers.' Irish Astronomical Journal 'The clear and logical style makes this book an essential introduction for graduate students and an authoritative reference for researchers in solar physics, astrophysics, plasma physics and space science.' Europe & Astronomy '… will provide a very welcome systematization of a vast and tangled literature, whose interrelationships are not always very obvious.' S. W. H. Cowley, Contemporary Physics 'This timely book meets a welcome need … [It] provides in a single place an encyclopedic study to which people will be able to refer for yours, to gain an overall picture of the papers published in this field over the past decade or two … a truly valuable contribution to our understanding of reconnection physics.' Russell M. Kulsrud, Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics 'Anyone working in one of these fields should at least look at the phenomena described in this book, which offers a wide panorama of reconnection scenarios.' Journal of Plasma Physics 'This book, written by two real experts in the field, presents in a clear and logical way an overview of the reconnection process, its theory and applications … an excellent book for graduate students intending to work ion any of these fields, and an indispensable handbook for researchers, solar physicists in particular.' Zdenek Svestka, Solar Physics