On the Distribution of Plasmoids In High-Lundquist-Number Magnetic Reconnection

TL;DR

This paper investigates the distribution of magnetic flux in plasmoids during high-Lundquist-number magnetic reconnection, revealing a power-law distribution that challenges previous theories through analytical modeling and simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a new phenomenological model and simulation results showing a power-law distribution of plasmoid flux, contrasting with earlier predictions.

Findings

Distribution function follows a power law f(ψ) ~ ψ^{-1}

Discrepancy with recent theoretical models explained

Supports the universality of power-law behavior in plasmoid distributions

Abstract

The distribution function $f(\psi)$ of magnetic flux $\psi$ in plasmoids formed in high-Lundquist-number current sheets is studied by means of an analytic phenomenological model and direct numerical simulations. The distribution function is shown to follow a power law $f(\psi)\sim\psi^{-1}$, which differs from other recent theoretical predictions. Physical explanations are given for the discrepant predictions of other theoretical models.