  We propose a phenomenological model of vortex tube reconnection at high
Reynolds numbers. The basic picture is that squeezed vortex lines, formed by
stretching in the region of closest approach between filaments, interact like
dipoles (monopole-antimonopole pairs) of a confining electrostatic theory. The
probability of dipole creation is found from a canonical ensemble spanned by
foldings of the vortex tubes, with temperature parameter estimated from the
typical energy variation taking place in the reconnection process. Vortex line
reshuffling by viscous diffusion is described in terms of directional
transitions of the dipoles. The model is used to fit with reasonable accuracy
experimental data established long ago on the symmetric collision of vortex
rings. We also study along similar lines the asymmetric case, related to the
reconnection of non-parallel vortex tubes.
