| Abstract: | Numerical investigation of the two‐dimensional magnetic reconnection is given in the context of the nonlinear evolution of the Magneto‐Rotational Instability (MRI). With a careful comparison to various theories using both one‐ and twodimensional analysis, it is found that a new stabilizing effect of the centrifugal force on tearing instability must be present in the specific geometry of the MRI.Magnetic reconnection might play a key role to the formation of the nonaxisymmetric structures observed in MRI experiments. The results may also be useful for the estimate of the accretion rate in various astrophysical objects. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) |
