Momentum transport near a magnetic X line in collisionless reconnection
- Univ. of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK (United States)
- Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (United States)
Plasma dynamics and momentum transport near an X line during time-dependent magnetic reconnection in a collisionless plasma are investigated based on two-dimensional particle simulations. The authors find that a weakly skewed velocity distribution is formed near the magnetic X line, leading to the presence of off-diagonal elements of the plasma pressure tensor. Let the reconnection electric field be in the y direction. The gradients of the off-diagonal elements of the pressure tensor can provide a transport of the y momentum. During the normal magnetic reconnection, the momentum transport associated with the off-diagonal terms of the pressure tensor mediates a transfer of the y momentum from the region near the X line to regions outside the X line. A period of [open quotes]reverse magnetic reconnection,[close quotes] during which the plasma kinetic energy is converted into magnetic energy, is also observed in the simulation. When reverse reconnection occurs, the gradients of the off-diagonal pressure tensor elements can mediate a transfer of y momentum into the X line. It is found that the inertial term also plays a significant role in the force balance near the magnetic X line. An explanation for the origin of the off-diagonal pressure terms is also given in this paper. 29 refs., 10 figs.
- OSTI ID:
- 6711337
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Vol. 99:A1; ISSN 0148-0227
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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