Generation of a Strong Parallel Electric Field and Embedded Electron Jet in the Exhaust of Moderate Guide Field Reconnection

Wetherton, Blake A.; Egedal, Jan; Le, Ari; Daughton, William

doi:10.1029/2022GL098907

Generation of a Strong Parallel Electric Field and Embedded Electron Jet in the Exhaust of Moderate Guide Field Reconnection

Journal Article · Fri Jul 22 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Geophysical Research Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL098907· OSTI ID:1877416

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Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos NM USA, Department of Physics University of Wisconsin‐Madison Madison WI USA
Department of Physics University of Wisconsin‐Madison Madison WI USA
Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos NM USA

Abstract

Magnetospheric Multiscale observed an extended current layer concurrent with a strong parallel electric field. The current layer is embedded in the reconnection exhaust and is consistent with an extended magnetized jet expected in roughly symmetric moderate guide field reconnection. The strong parallel electric field observed at the jet balances a strong gradient in the parallel electron pressure caused by a transition between magnetized electrons with T _{e ‖} > T _{e ⊥} on one side of the jet and demagnetized, roughly isotropic electrons across the thin current layer. Simulation results show how this transition can occur and how the associated electron pressure gradients in Ohm's law balance the parallel electric field.

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Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES)

Grant/Contract Number:: 89233218CNA000001; FG02-97ER25308

OSTI ID:: 1877416

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1882736
OSTI ID: 1887153

Report Number(s):: LA-UR-22-22917; e2022GL098907

Journal Information:: Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Journal Issue: 14 Vol. 49; ISSN 0094-8276

Publisher:: American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Generation of a Strong Parallel Electric Field and Embedded Electron Jet in the Exhaust of Moderate Guide Field Reconnection

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