Aspects of three-dimensional magnetic reconnection

The nonlinear behavior of reconnecting modes in three spatial dimensions (3D) is investigated, on the basis of a collisionless fluid model in slab geometry, assuming a strong constant guide field in one direction. Unstable modes in the so-called large Delta' regime are considered. Single helicity modes, i.e., modes with the same orientation with respect to the guide field, depending on all three spatial coordinates correspond to "oblique" modes with, in general, mixed parity around the corresponding resonant magnetic surface, giving rise to a nonlinear drift of the magnetic island X point. The nonlinear coupling of initial perturbations with different helicities introduces additional helicities that evolve in time in agreement with quasilinear estimates, as long as their amplitudes remain relatively small. Magnetic field lines become stochastic when islands with different helicities are present. Basic questions such as the proper definition of the reconnection rate in 3D are addressed. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.