Laser-Plasma Experimental Simulations of activity of Solar Magnetic Fields and Earth′s MagnetosphereDong Quanli, Wang Shoujun, Yuan Dawei, Lu Quanming, Huang Can, Liu Xun, Li Yutong, Lin Xiaoxuan, Wei Huigang, Zhong Jiayong, Shi Jianrong, Jiang Shaoen, Ding Yongkun, Jiang Baibin, Du Kai, Hua Neng, Qiao Zhanfeng, Huang Kuixi, Chen Ming, He Xiantu, Yu Mingyang, Liu Quansheng, Wang Shui, Tang Yongjian, Zhu Jianqiang, Zhao Gang, Sheng Zhengming, and Zhang Jie
Laser-plasma experiments about magnetic reconnection have been used to investigate characteristics of activities of the solar magnetic field and the magnetosphere. In our recent laser plasma experiments, two side-by-side thin target layers, instead of a single one, are used. It is found that at one end of the elongatedLaser-plasma experiments about magnetic reconnection have been used to investigate characteristics of activities of the solar magnetic field and the magnetosphere. In our recent laser plasma experiments, two side-by-side thin target layers, instead of a single one, are used. It is found that at one end of the elongated current sheet (CS), a fanlike electron outflow region including three well-collimated electron jets appears. These laboratory experimental observations of three electron diffusion regions (EDRs) reproduce the characteristics of magnetic reconnection sites at the Earth's magnetotail,which was observed by the Cluster satellites in 2003 and 2005, separately. The higher than 1 MeV tail of the jet energy distribution exhibits a power-law scaling. The enhanced electron acceleration is attributed to the intense inductive electric field in the narrow electron dominated reconnection region, as well as additional acceleration as electrons are trapped inside the rapidly moving plasmoid formed in and ejected from the CS. The plasmoid ejection also induces a secondary CS. The experimental results mimic the formation process of solar coronal mass ejections and flares, and also confirm the theory and model predictions about the CS-born anomalous plasmoid as the initial stage of coronal mass ejections, and the behavior of moving-away plasmoid stretching the primary reconnected field lines into a secondary CS conjoined with two bright ridges identified. We compare the parameters of plasmas in the transition region between solar corona and chromosphere, at the reconnection site of the magnetotail, and that produced by the giant lasers, and find that all three plasma systems have Euler-Alfven similarity, meaning that the physics underlying current laser-plasma phenomena can be applicable to that of solar flares and substorms of magnetosphere..showLess Laser & Optoelectronics Progress
- Publication Date: Jul. 30, 2013
- Vol. 50, Issue 8, 80013 (2013)