Hall magnetic shocks in plasma current layers

We present new analytical and numerical results of the dynamics of reversed field current layers in the Hall limit (i.e., characteristic length scales smaller than the ion inertial length). A rapid, localized thinning of the current layer leads to the generation of a nonlinear, shocklike structure that propagates in the B x inverted Delta(n) direction. This magnetic structure is self-supportive and can lead to a nonlocal thinning of the current layer and the release of magnetic energy.