Rapid collapse of antiparallel magnetic field system of finite width by fast reconnexion

The present computer experiment studies an explosive magnetic energy conversion in an antiparallel-fleid system of finite width where sheet current flows in the middle of the system and return current flows on both sides of the system. It is demonstrated that, initiated by local onset of anomalous resistivity, the global plasma flow grows so as to bring about the so-called fast reconnexion process that provides rapid magnetic flux transfer as well as rapid magnetic energy release. In the resulting configuration of fast reconnexion, the plasma flow drastically reverses its direction across the magnetic- field region, and the effective width of the magnetic-field region becomes rapidly reduced with time. It is found that the fast reconnexion suddenly decays when the front tip of the return-current region has just arrived at the field-reversal region.