Transition to whistler mediated magnetic reconnection

Journal Article · Fri Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1993 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/93GL03382· OSTI ID:5017420

Mandt, M E; Drake, J F ^[1]; Denton, R E ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD (United States)
2. Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (United States)

The transition in the magnetic reconnection rate from the resistive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) regime where the Alfven wave controls reconnection to a regime in which the ions become unmagnetized and the whistler wave mediates reconnection is explored with 2-D hybrid simulations. In the whistler regime the electrons carry the currents while the ions provide a neutralizing background. A simple physical picture is presented illustrating the role of the whistler in driving reconnection and the rate of whistler mediated reconnection is calculated analytically. The development of an out-of-plane component of the magnetic field is an observable signature of whistler driven reconnection. 10 refs., 4 figs.

• OSTI ID: 5017420
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 21:1; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661320* -- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COUPLING
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
NOISE
RADIATIONS
RADIO NOISE
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
WHISTLERS