Kinetic turbulence drives MHD equilibrium change via 3D reconnection
This experimental study demonstrates how magnetic turbulence can drive the merging of magnetic flux ropes, leading to changes in overall magnetic structure, a phenomenon observed in solar flares. Researchers triggered turbulence by launching electron beams along magnetic field lines within two separate flux ropes in a lab setting. The resulting merger was confirmed using fast camera images and measurements of magnetic field, ion temperature, ion velocity, and soft X-rays, with additional support from 3D particle-in-cell simulations.