Identification of a quasiseparatrix layer in a reconnecting laboratory magnetoplasma

Phys Rev Lett. 2009 Sep 4;103(10):105002. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.105002. Epub 2009 Sep 3.

Abstract

The concept of quasiseparatrix layers (QSLs) has emerged as a powerful tool to study the connectivity of magnetic field lines undergoing magnetic reconnection in solar flares. Although they have been used principally by the solar physics community until now, QSLs can be employed to shed light on all processes in which reconnection occurs. We present the first application of this theory to an experimental flux rope configuration. The three-dimensional data set acquired in this experiment makes the determination of the QSL possible.