Flux Ropes evolution : a comparison of simulations, experiments and observations

We reconsider the classic problem of the evolution and interaction of flux ropes. Our approach starts from three related areas of investigation. First, we consider the recently published results obtained with the Reconnection Scaling experiment (RSX) at Los Alamos National Laboratory [1] where one and two flux ropes are created and their evolution is diagnosed with direct experimental measurements. Second, we consider the available data from solar observations (particularly from LASCO and TRACE) where the evolution of field lines and flux ropes during eruptive events is directly observed. Third, we reconcile the experimental and observational data with non-linear 3D MHD simulations [2] conducted with the code FLIP. We focus on two classes of dynamical process. First, we consider the non-linear evolution of a single flux ropes focusing on the physics of saturation of unstable modes (e.g. kink) and highlighting the difference between experiments where the presence of the vessel wall can affect the dynamics and the case of space. Second, we consider the interaction of two flux ropes, focusing on the topological changes of field lines reconnected in a current sheet formed between the ropes. In both cases, we conduct simulations relevant to both laboratory (RSX) and solar conditions.status: publishe