Flux quanta, magnetic field lines, merging – some sub-microscale relations of interest in space plasma physics

Abstract. We clarify the notion of magnetic field lines in plasma by referring to sub-microscale (quantum mechanical) particle dynamics. It is demonstrated that magnetic field lines in a field of strength B carry single magnetic flux quanta Φ0=h/e. The radius of a field line in the given magnetic field B is calculated. It is shown that such field lines can merge and annihilate only over the length ℓ∥ of their strictly anti-parallel sections, for which case we estimate the power generated. The length ℓ∥ becomes a function of the inclination angle θ of the two merging magnetic flux tubes (field lines). Merging is possible only in the interval (1/2)π <θ <π. This provides a sub-microscopic basis for “component reconnection” in classical macro-scale reconnection. We also find that the magnetic diffusion coefficient in plasma appears in quanta D0m=eΦ0/me=h/me. This lets us conclude that the bulk perpendicular plasma resistivity is limited and cannot be less than η0⊥=μ0eΦ0/me=μ0h/me~10−9 Ohm m. This resistance is an invariant. Keywords. Space plasma physics (Magnetic reconnection)

@article{id1689,
  author = {Treumann, R. A. and Nakamura, R. and Baumjohann, W.},
  doi = {10.5194/angeo-29-1121-2011},
  journal = {Annales Geophysicae},
  language = {en},
  pages = {1121-1127},
  title = {Flux quanta, magnetic field lines, merging {\textendash} some sub-microscale relations of interest in space plasma physics},
  url = {www.ann-geophys.net/29/1121/2011/},
  volume = {29},
  year = {2011},
}

%O Journal Article
%A Treumann, R. A.
%A Nakamura, R.
%A Baumjohann, W.
%R 10.5194/angeo-29-1121-2011
%J Annales Geophysicae
%G en
%P 1121-1127
%T Flux quanta, magnetic field lines, merging – some sub-microscale relations of interest in space plasma physics
%U www.ann-geophys.net/29/1121/2011/
%V 29
%D 2011