Merging of plasma currents - art. no. 195002

The merging process of current filaments in a strongly magnetized plasma is described. The evolution is calculated using a contour dynamics method, wh ich accurately tracks piecewise constant distributions of the conserved qua ntities. In the interaction of two screened currents, both develop dipolar vortical flows, bringing the currents together. This is the manifestation o f the Lorentz force between aligned currents. Currents will merge into sing le filaments. Reconnection of the magnetic field takes place, converting th e magnetic topology from a figure eight to a circle.