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

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.

Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Lett

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