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Title: Energy conversion during magnetic reconnection for magnetotail-like equilibria

Abstract

The principle of magnetic field-to-particle energy conversion for magnetic reconnection, originally developed by the authors for Harris-Fadeev equilibria, is extended to include a finite north-south (normal) component of the magnetic field, which is typical of the Earth's magnetotail environment. On the basis of the exact conservation laws derived from the nonlinear Vlasov equation, it is demonstrated that a small portion of the energy stored in the magnetic field is released and converted to particle thermal energy as a result of the magnetic field topological transformation, i.e., reconnection. It is also found that the normal field component has a minimal impact on the efficacy of the energy exchange.

Authors:
;  [1]
  1. IPST, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-2431 (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
20860294
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Physics of Plasmas
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 13; Journal Issue: 10; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2354580; (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; BOLTZMANN-VLASOV EQUATION; CONSERVATION LAWS; ENERGY CONVERSION; ENERGY TRANSFER; MAGNETIC FIELDS; MAGNETIC RECONNECTION; MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS; MAGNETOTAIL; NONLINEAR PROBLEMS; PLASMA; PLASMA SIMULATION; RADIATION TRANSPORT; TOPOLOGY; TRANSFORMATIONS

Citation Formats

Yoon, P H, Lui, A T. Y., and APL, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland 20723-6099. Energy conversion during magnetic reconnection for magnetotail-like equilibria. United States: N. p., 2006. Web. doi:10.1063/1.2354580.
Yoon, P H, Lui, A T. Y., & APL, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland 20723-6099. Energy conversion during magnetic reconnection for magnetotail-like equilibria. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2354580
Yoon, P H, Lui, A T. Y., and APL, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland 20723-6099. 2006. "Energy conversion during magnetic reconnection for magnetotail-like equilibria". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2354580.
@article{osti_20860294,
title = {Energy conversion during magnetic reconnection for magnetotail-like equilibria},
author = {Yoon, P H and Lui, A T. Y. and APL, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland 20723-6099},
abstractNote = {The principle of magnetic field-to-particle energy conversion for magnetic reconnection, originally developed by the authors for Harris-Fadeev equilibria, is extended to include a finite north-south (normal) component of the magnetic field, which is typical of the Earth's magnetotail environment. On the basis of the exact conservation laws derived from the nonlinear Vlasov equation, it is demonstrated that a small portion of the energy stored in the magnetic field is released and converted to particle thermal energy as a result of the magnetic field topological transformation, i.e., reconnection. It is also found that the normal field component has a minimal impact on the efficacy of the energy exchange.},
doi = {10.1063/1.2354580},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/20860294}, journal = {Physics of Plasmas},
issn = {1070-664X},
number = 10,
volume = 13,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2006},
month = {Sun Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2006}
}