Time and Space Resolved Optical Measurements of Reconnection in PHASMA*

In previous studies, the complex dynamical behavior of kinking 3D flux

ropes have been observed and studied within the PHASMA (PHAse Space

MApping) facility. For the first time, temporally and spatially resolved

measurements of flux rope dynamics within PHASMA are obtained through

measurements of emitted light intensity using photodiode arrays,

allowing for the direct observation of flux rope evolution, movement and

reconnection in 3 dimensions. These optical measurements are referenced

against magnetic field data obtained from B-dot probes, potentially

offering a non-perturbative, high dynamic range alternative to

conventional field mapping techniques for detecting the onset of

magnetic reconnection. Incorporation of the photodiode observations into

a real-time predictive model may also enable the development of a

predictive trigger for synchronized magnetic reconnection measurements.