Three-dimensional modeling of electron quasiviscous dissipation in guide-field magnetic reconnection

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2005 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2114350· OSTI ID:20702226

Hesse, Michael; Kuznetsova, Masha; Schindler, Karl; Birn, Joachim ^[1]

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1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 (United States)

A numerical study of guide-field magnetic reconnection in a three-dimensional model is presented. Starting from an initial, perturbed, force-free current sheet, it is shown that reconnection develops to an almost translationally invariant state, where magnetic perturbations are aligned primarily along the main current flow direction. An analysis of guide-field and electron flow signatures indicates behavior that is very similar to earlier, albeit not three-dimensional, simulations. Furthermore, a detailed investigation of electron pressure nongyrotropies in the central diffusion region confirms the major role the associated dissipation process plays in establishing the reconnection electric field.

• OSTI ID: 20702226
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 12, Issue 10; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2114350; (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ELECTRONS
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
PLASMA PRESSURE
PLASMA SIMULATION
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS