On Turbulent Reconnection

We examine the dynamics of turbulent reconnection in two-dimensional and three-dimensional reduced MHD by calculating the effective dissipation due to coupling between small-scale fluctuations and large-scale magnetic fields. Sweet-Parker type balance relations are then used to calculate the global reconnection rate. Two approaches are employed—quasi-linear closure and an eddy-damped fluid model. Results indicate that despite the presence of turbulence, the reconnection rate remains inversely proportional to , as in the Sweet-Parker analysis. In two-dimensions, the global reconnection rate is shown to be enhanced over the Sweet-Parker result by a factor of magnetic Mach number. These results are the consequences of the constraint imposed on the global reconnection rate by the requirement of mean-square magnetic potential balance. The incompatibility of turbulent fluid-magnetic energy equipartition and stationarity of mean-square magnetic potential is demonstrated.