General theory of the plasmoid instability

• DOI: 10.1063/1.4964481
• Publication Date: 2016-10-05T20:59:32Z
• Authors: L. Comisso; M. Lingam; Y.-M. Huang; A. Bhattacharjee
• Keywords: Plasmoid

A general theory of the onset and development plasmoid instability is formulated by means a principle least time. The scaling relations for final aspect ratio, transition time to rapid onset, growth rate, number plasmoids are derived shown depend on initial perturbation amplitude (ŵ0), characteristic rate current sheet evolution (1/τ), Lundquist (S). They not simple power laws, proportional Sατβ[ln f(S,τ,ŵ0)]σ. detailed dynamics also elucidated, comprise period quiescence followed sudden over short scale.