Reconnection in two dimensions - Localization of vorticity and current near magnetic X-points

Simulations of reconnection utilizing spectral methods show that the 'reconnection zone' exhibits internal structure in the form of a current filament and a 'quadrupole' of kinetic vorticity. A qualitative model of the dynamical role of these local structures is presented. It is suggested that the effect of small scale structures near the X-point is to increase the rate of reconnection.