3-D MHD SIMULATION OF PLASMOID FORMATION DURING COALESCENCE OF 2 CURRENT LOOPS

We consider two force-free current loops, as proposed by Gold and Hoyle (1960), as the initial current loops, to investigate two types of the magnetic reconnection process, the partial and complete reconnections during coalescence of these loops, by using a 3-D resistive MI-ID code. It is shown that two plasmoids can be produced on both sides of the coalescence area by both types of the magnetic reconnection process during coalescence of two current loops. It is also shown that strong fast magnetosonic waves can be induced in the partial reconnection case of two-current-loop collision. When two current loops collide locally at two points, four plasmoids can be produced and two of these plasmoids merge into one.