Magnetic reconnection is a process that occurs when the magnetic fields of a conductive plasma quickly rearrange and release massive amounts of stored magnetic energy. It is widely thought to be the underlying mechanism behind cosmic events such as solar flares and substorms in Earth’s magnetosphere.

Now, researchers from Kyushu University have used high-power lasers to recreate and investigate this puzzling physical phenomenon of magnetic reconnection in a controlled environment. Their results indicate that fast magnetic reconnection is governed by the local physics of the reconnection layer rather than the properties of the surrounding plasma.

Briefly, magnetic reconnection involves the splicing and reconnection of magnetic field lines pointing in opposite directions as two plasma flows meet, causing plasma heating and high-speed plasma outflows.