Magnetic Reconnection in Turbulent Plasmas and Gamma Ray Bursts

Abstract

We discuss how the model of magnetic reconnection in the presence of turbulence proposed inLazarian & Vishniac 1999 makes the reconnection rate independent either of resistivity or microscopic plasma effects, but determined entirely by the magnetic field line wandering induced by turbulence. We explain that the model accounts for both fast and slow regimes of reconnection and that this property naturally induces flares of reconnection in low beta plasma environments. In addition, we show that the model involves volume reconnection which can convert a substantial part of the energy into energetic particles. It is important that the reconnection induces an efficient acceleration of the first order Fermi type. Finally, we relate the properties of the reconnection with the observed properties of gamma ray bursts and provide evidence supporting the explanation of gamma ray bursts based on energy release via reconnection.