title: Instability, turbulence, and 3D magnetic reconnection in a line-tied, zero net current screw pinch.
abstract: This Letter reports the first experimental investigation into a line-tied plasma with a reversed current profile. Discrete current sources create a cylindrical plasma equilibrium with an axial field and zero net current. Detailed magnetic measurements show that an internal m=1 mode with no external character grows exponentially. The nonlinear evolution of the mode drives 3D reconnection events that reorganize the plasma equilibrium. The plasma is turbulent and exhibits reconnection events on a range of scales. These data are consistent with recent simulations of coronal loops and the nanoflare coronal heating mechanism.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Brookhart
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stemo
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zuberbier
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zweibel
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
authors.forename: Cary B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Forest