Kink-driven magnetic reconnection as a driver of a plasma jet eruption at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

We present the progress of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's (ERAU) plasma jet experiment. The study shows that kink-driven magnetic reconnection serves as an eruption mechanism for a laboratory jet. A flux rope forms, evolving into a filamentary jet. The jet destabilizes due to kink instability when the Kruskal-Shafranov criterion is satisfied, causing an inflow of reconnecting magnetic fields. This kink-driven reconnection energizes ions significantly, enhancing jet acceleration. Based on strong observational evidence from this experiment, we propose that kink-driven magnetic reconnection could be a fundamental driver of laboratory jet eruptions and might also be relevant to solar jets involving kink instability and magnetic reconnection. We invite discussions and feedback on these findings.