Multi-scale Dynamical Processes in Space and Astrophysical Plasmas [Paperback]

Magnetized plasmas in the universe exhibit complex dynamical behavior over a huge range of scales. The fundamental mechanisms of energy transport, redistribution and conversion occur at multiple scales. The driving mechanisms often include energy accumulation, free-energy-excited relaxation processes, dissipation and self-organization. The plasma processes associated with energy conversion, transport and self-organization, such as magnetic reconnection, instabilities, linear and nonlinear waves, wave-particle interactions, dynamo processes, turbulence, heating, diffusion and convection represent fundamental physical effects. They demonstrate similar dynamical behavior in near-Earth space, on the Sun, in the heliosphere and in astrophysical environments.'Multi-scale Dynamical Processes in Space and Astrophysical Plasmas' presents the proceedings of the International Astrophysics Forum Alpbach 2011. The contributions discuss the latest advances in the exploration of dynamical behavior in space plasmas environments, including comprehensive approaches to theoretical, experimental and numerical aspects. The book will appeal to researchers and students in the fields of physics, space and astrophysics, solar physics, geophysics and planetary science.

Part I Magnetic field topology and reconnection.- Field Line Topology and Rapid Reconnection.- Acceleration of Energetic Particles through Reconnection of Weakly Stochastic Magnetic Field.- Dynamical Behaviors of the Solar Chromosphere Observed with Hinode Dynamics in Sunspot Light Bridges and Magnetic Reconnection Processes.- Signatures of magnetic reconnection in solar eruptive flares: A multi-wavelength perspective.- Energy Cascades in Large-scale Solar Flare Reconnection.- Plasmoids in Solar Flares and their Radio and X-ray Signatures.- Occurrence of Magnetic Reconnection in the Deep Magnetotail: ARTEMIS Results.- Part II Plasma relaxation and heating.- Relaxation and heating triggered by nonlinear kink instabilityl3¦