Unstable magnetic reconnection self-generates turbulence
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arXiv
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| Hauptverfasser: | , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
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2026
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| _version_ | 1866912925829038080 |
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| author | Williams, Nick De Rosis, Alessandro Skillen, Alex |
| author_facet | Williams, Nick De Rosis, Alessandro Skillen, Alex |
| contents | Magnetic reconnection and turbulence are deeply intertwined in magnetohydrodynamic flows, yet how reconnection self-generates turbulence remains unclear. Using an ensemble of high-resolution three-dimensional direct numerical simulations of an unstable magnetised jet with an initially weak mean field, we demonstrate a self-sustained transition from laminar reconnection to fully developed turbulence in the absence of external forcing. We show that a three-dimensional current-sheet instability triggers stochastic reconnection, leading to persistent turbulent energy injection. Energy-budget analysis reveals that the coupling between the turbulent electromotive force and the magnetic mean shear dominates turbulent production, with magnetic fluctuations subsequently transferring energy to the kinetic field through a nonlinear cascade. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2602_21422 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Unstable magnetic reconnection self-generates turbulence Williams, Nick De Rosis, Alessandro Skillen, Alex Plasma Physics Fluid Dynamics Magnetic reconnection and turbulence are deeply intertwined in magnetohydrodynamic flows, yet how reconnection self-generates turbulence remains unclear. Using an ensemble of high-resolution three-dimensional direct numerical simulations of an unstable magnetised jet with an initially weak mean field, we demonstrate a self-sustained transition from laminar reconnection to fully developed turbulence in the absence of external forcing. We show that a three-dimensional current-sheet instability triggers stochastic reconnection, leading to persistent turbulent energy injection. Energy-budget analysis reveals that the coupling between the turbulent electromotive force and the magnetic mean shear dominates turbulent production, with magnetic fluctuations subsequently transferring energy to the kinetic field through a nonlinear cascade. |
| title | Unstable magnetic reconnection self-generates turbulence |
| topic | Plasma Physics Fluid Dynamics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.21422 |