Two-Scale Structure of the Electron Dissipation Region during Collisionless Magnetic Reconnection

Journal Article · Fri Oct 12 04:00:00 EDT 2007 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.99.155002· OSTI ID:21024265

Shay, M A; Drake, J F; Swisdak, M ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, 217 Sharp Lab, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716 (United States)

Particle-in-cell simulations of collisionless magnetic reconnection are presented that demonstrate that reconnection remains fast in very large systems. The electron dissipation region develops a distinct two-scale structure along the outflow direction. Consistent with fast reconnection, the length of the electron current layer stabilizes and decreases with decreasing electron mass, approaching the ion inertial length for a proton-electron plasma. Surprisingly, the electrons form a super-Alfvenic outflow jet that remains decoupled from the magnetic field and extends large distances downstream from the x line.

• OSTI ID: 21024265
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 15 Vol. 99; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ELECTRONS
IONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
PLASMA
PLASMA SIMULATION
PROTONS