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Datta R, Chandler K, Myers CE, Chittenden JP, Crilly AJ, Aragon C, Ampleford DJ, Banasek JT, Edens A, Fox WR, Hansen SB, Harding EC, Jennings CA, Ji H, Kuranz CC, Lebedev SV, Looker Q, Patel SG, Porwitzky A, Shipley GA, Uzdensky DA, Yager-Elorriaga DA, Hare JD. Plasmoid Formation and Strong Radiative Cooling in a Driven Magnetic Reconnection Experiment. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2024; 132:155102. [PMID: 38683000 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.132.155102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
We present the first experimental study of plasmoid formation in a magnetic reconnection layer undergoing rapid radiative cooling, a regime relevant to extreme astrophysical plasmas. Two exploding aluminum wire arrays, driven by the Z machine, generate a reconnection layer (S_{L}≈120) in which the cooling rate far exceeds the hydrodynamic transit rate (τ_{hydro}/τ_{cool}>100). The reconnection layer generates a transient burst of >1 keV x-ray emission, consistent with the formation and subsequent rapid cooling of the layer. Time-gated x-ray images show fast-moving (up to 50 km s^{-1}) hotspots in the layer, consistent with the presence of plasmoids in 3D resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations. X-ray spectroscopy shows that these hotspots generate the majority of Al K-shell emission (around 1.6 keV) prior to the onset of cooling, and exhibit temperatures (170 eV) much greater than that of the plasma inflows and the rest of the reconnection layer, thus providing insight into the generation of high-energy radiation in radiatively cooled reconnection events.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Datta
- Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts 02139, Cambridge, USA
| | - K Chandler
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123-1106, USA
| | - C E Myers
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123-1106, USA
| | - J P Chittenden
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BW, United Kingdom
| | - A J Crilly
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BW, United Kingdom
| | - C Aragon
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123-1106, USA
| | - D J Ampleford
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123-1106, USA
| | - J T Banasek
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123-1106, USA
| | - A Edens
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123-1106, USA
| | - W R Fox
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, USA
| | - S B Hansen
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123-1106, USA
| | - E C Harding
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123-1106, USA
| | - C A Jennings
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123-1106, USA
| | - H Ji
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, USA
| | - C C Kuranz
- Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - S V Lebedev
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BW, United Kingdom
| | - Q Looker
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123-1106, USA
| | - S G Patel
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123-1106, USA
| | - A Porwitzky
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123-1106, USA
| | - G A Shipley
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123-1106, USA
| | - D A Uzdensky
- Center for Integrated Plasma Studies, Physics Department, UCB-390, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA
| | | | - J D Hare
- Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts 02139, Cambridge, USA
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Ji H, Yoo J, Fox W, Yamada M, Argall M, Egedal J, Liu YH, Wilder R, Eriksson S, Daughton W, Bergstedt K, Bose S, Burch J, Torbert R, Ng J, Chen LJ. Laboratory Study of Collisionless Magnetic Reconnection. SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS 2023; 219:76. [PMID: 38023292 PMCID: PMC10651714 DOI: 10.1007/s11214-023-01024-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
A concise review is given on the past two decades' results from laboratory experiments on collisionless magnetic reconnection in direct relation with space measurements, especially by the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission. Highlights include spatial structures of electromagnetic fields in ion and electron diffusion regions as a function of upstream symmetry and guide field strength, energy conversion and partitioning from magnetic field to ions and electrons including particle acceleration, electrostatic and electromagnetic kinetic plasma waves with various wavelengths, and plasmoid-mediated multiscale reconnection. Combined with the progress in theoretical, numerical, and observational studies, the physics foundation of fast reconnection in collisionless plasmas has been largely established, at least within the parameter ranges and spatial scales that were studied. Immediate and long-term future opportunities based on multiscale experiments and space missions supported by exascale computation are discussed, including dissipation by kinetic plasma waves, particle heating and acceleration, and multiscale physics across fluid and kinetic scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Ji
- Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, 4 Ivy Lane, Princeton, 08544 New Jersey USA
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, P.O. Box 451, Princeton, 08543 New Jersey USA
| | - J. Yoo
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, P.O. Box 451, Princeton, 08543 New Jersey USA
| | - W. Fox
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, P.O. Box 451, Princeton, 08543 New Jersey USA
| | - M. Yamada
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, P.O. Box 451, Princeton, 08543 New Jersey USA
| | - M. Argall
- Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire, 8 College Road, Durham, 03824 New Hampshire USA
| | - J. Egedal
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1150 University Avenue, Madison, 53706 Wisconsin USA
| | - Y.-H. Liu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Dartmouth College, 17 Fayerweather Hill Road, Hanover, 03755 New Hampshire USA
| | - R. Wilder
- Department of Physics, University of Texas at Arlington, 701 S. Nedderman Drive, Arlington, 76019 Texas USA
| | - S. Eriksson
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado at Boulder, 1234 Innovation Drive, Boulder, 80303 Colorado USA
| | - W. Daughton
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, 87545 New Mexico USA
| | - K. Bergstedt
- Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, 4 Ivy Lane, Princeton, 08544 New Jersey USA
| | - S. Bose
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, P.O. Box 451, Princeton, 08543 New Jersey USA
| | - J. Burch
- Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, 78238 Texas USA
| | - R. Torbert
- Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire, 8 College Road, Durham, 03824 New Hampshire USA
| | - J. Ng
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, P.O. Box 451, Princeton, 08543 New Jersey USA
- Department of Astronomy, University of Maryland, 4296 Stadium Drive, College Park, 20742 Maryland USA
- Goddard Space Flight Center, Mail Code 130, Greenbelt, 20771 Maryland USA
| | - L.-J. Chen
- Goddard Space Flight Center, Mail Code 130, Greenbelt, 20771 Maryland USA
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Liu Y, Shi P, Zhang X, Lei J, Ding W. Laboratory plasma devices for space physics investigation. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2021; 92:071101. [PMID: 34340448 DOI: 10.1063/5.0021355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In the past decades, laboratory experiments have contributed significantly to the exploration of the fundamental physics of space plasmas. Since 1908, when Birkeland invented the first terrella device, numerous experimental apparatuses have been designed and constructed for space physics investigations, and beneficial achievements have been gained using these laboratory plasma devices. In the present work, we review the initiation, development, and current status of laboratory plasma devices for space physics investigations. The notable experimental apparatuses are categorized and discussed according to the central scientific research topics they are related to, such as space plasma waves and instabilities, magnetic field generation and reconnection, and modeling of the Earth's and planetary space environments. The characteristics of each device, including the plasma configuration, plasma generation, and control method, are highlighted and described in detail. In addition, their contributions to reveal the underlying physics of space observations are also briefly discussed. For the scope of future research, various challenges are discussed, and suggestions are provided for the construction of new and enhanced devices. The objective of this work is to allow space physicists and planetary scientists to enhance their knowledge of the experimental apparatuses and the corresponding experimental techniques, thereby facilitating the combination of spacecraft observation, numerical simulation, and laboratory experiments and consequently promoting the development of space physics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Peiyun Shi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, USA
| | - Xiao Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jiuhou Lei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Weixing Ding
- CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
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Tanabe H, Yamada T, Watanabe T, Gi K, Kadowaki K, Inomoto M, Imazawa R, Gryaznevich M, Michael C, Crowley B, Conway NJ, Scannell R, Harrison J, Fitzgerald I, Meakins A, Hawkes N, McClements KG, O'Gorman T, Cheng CZ, Ono Y. Electron and Ion Heating Characteristics during Magnetic Reconnection in the MAST Spherical Tokamak. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2015; 115:215004. [PMID: 26636857 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.115.215004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Electron and ion heating characteristics during merging reconnection start-up on the MAST spherical tokamak have been revealed in detail using a 130 channel yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) and a 300 channel Ruby-Thomson scattering system and a new 32 chord ion Doppler tomography diagnostic. Detailed 2D profile measurements of electron and ion temperature together with electron density have been achieved for the first time and it is found that electron temperature forms a highly localized hot spot at the X point and ion temperature globally increases downstream. For the push merging experiment when the guide field is more than 3 times the reconnecting field, a thick layer of a closed flux surface form by the reconnected field sustains the temperature profile for longer than the electron and ion energy relaxation time ~4-10 ms, both characteristic profiles finally forming a triple peak structure at the X point and downstream. An increase in the toroidal guide field results in a more peaked electron temperature profile at the X point, and also produces higher ion temperatures at this point, but the ion temperature profile in the downstream region is unaffected.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Tanabe
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - T Yamada
- Faculty of Arts and Science, Kyusyu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - T Watanabe
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - K Gi
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - K Kadowaki
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - M Inomoto
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - R Imazawa
- Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Ibaraki 311-0193, Japan
| | - M Gryaznevich
- CCFE, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3DB, United Kingdom
| | - C Michael
- CCFE, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3DB, United Kingdom
| | - B Crowley
- CCFE, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3DB, United Kingdom
| | - N J Conway
- CCFE, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3DB, United Kingdom
| | - R Scannell
- CCFE, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3DB, United Kingdom
| | - J Harrison
- CCFE, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3DB, United Kingdom
| | - I Fitzgerald
- CCFE, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3DB, United Kingdom
| | - A Meakins
- CCFE, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3DB, United Kingdom
| | - N Hawkes
- CCFE, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3DB, United Kingdom
| | - K G McClements
- CCFE, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3DB, United Kingdom
| | - T O'Gorman
- CCFE, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3DB, United Kingdom
| | - C Z Cheng
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
- Institute of Space and Plasma Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Y Ono
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
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Yoo J, Yamada M, Ji H, Myers CE. Observation of ion acceleration and heating during collisionless magnetic reconnection in a laboratory plasma. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2013; 110:215007. [PMID: 23745892 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.110.215007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2012] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The ion dynamics in a collisionless magnetic reconnection layer are studied in a laboratory plasma. The measured in-plane plasma potential profile, which is established by electrons accelerated around the electron diffusion region, shows a saddle-shaped structure that is wider and deeper towards the outflow direction. This potential structure ballistically accelerates ions near the separatrices toward the outflow direction. Ions are heated as they travel into the high-pressure downstream region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongsoo Yoo
- Center for Magnetic Self-organization in Laboratory and Astrophysical Plasmas, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, USA.
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Shaikh D, Shukla PK. 3D simulations of fluctuation spectra in the hall-MHD plasma. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2009; 102:045004. [PMID: 19257431 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.102.045004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Turbulent spectral cascades are investigated by means of fully three-dimensional (3D) simulations of a compressible Hall-magnetohydrodynamic (H-MHD) plasma in order to understand the observed spectral break in the solar wind turbulence spectra in the regime where the characteristic length scales associated with electromagnetic fluctuations are smaller than the ion gyroradius. In this regime, the results of our 3D simulations exhibit that turbulent spectral cascades in the presence of a mean magnetic field follow an omnidirectional anisotropic inertial-range spectrum close to k(-7/3). The latter is associated with the Hall current arising from nonequal electron and ion fluid velocities in our 3D H-MHD plasma model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dastgeer Shaikh
- Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research, The University of Alabama, Huntsville, Alabama 35899, USA.
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Munsat T, Ellison CL, Light A, Nuger J, Willcockson W, Wurzel S. The Colorado FRC Experiment. JOURNAL OF FUSION ENERGY 2007. [DOI: 10.1007/s10894-007-9108-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Gangadhara S, Craig D, Ennis DA, Hartog DJD, Fiksel G, Prager SC. Spatially resolved measurements of ion heating during impulsive reconnection in the Madison Symmetric Torus. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2007; 98:075001. [PMID: 17359029 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.98.075001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2006] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The impurity ion temperature evolution has been measured during three types of impulsive reconnection events in the Madison Symmetric Torus reversed field pinch. During an edge reconnection event, the drop in stored magnetic energy is small and ion heating is observed to be limited to the outer half of the plasma. Conversely, during a global reconnection event the drop in stored magnetic energy is large, and significant heating is observed at all radii. For both kinds of events, the drop in magnetic energy is sufficient to explain the increase in ion thermal energy. However, not all types of reconnection lead to ion heating. During a core reconnection event, both the stored magnetic energy and impurity ion temperature remain constant. The results suggest that a drop in magnetic energy is required for ions to be heated during reconnection, and that when this occurs heating is localized near the reconnection layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Gangadhara
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin and Center for Magnetic Self-Organization in Laboratory and Astrophysical Plasmas, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
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Stark A, Fox W, Egedal J, Grulke O, Klinger T. Laser-induced fluorescence measurement of the ion-energy-distribution function in a collisionless reconnection experiment. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2005; 95:235005. [PMID: 16384314 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.95.235005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2005] [Revised: 08/02/2005] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Observations in space and laboratory plasmas suggest magnetic reconnection as a mechanism for ion heating and formation of non-Maxwellian ion velocity distribution functions (IVDF). Laser-induced fluorescence measurements of the IVDF parallel to the X line of a periodically driven reconnection experiment are presented. A time-resolved analysis yields the evolution of the IVDF within a reconnection cycle. It is shown that reconnection causes a strong increase of the ion temperature, where the strongest increase is found at the maximum reconnection rate. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that ion heating is a consequence of the in-plane electric field that forms around the X line in response to reconnection.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Stark
- Max-Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, EURATOM Association, Greifswald 17491, Germany
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Ishizawa A, Horiuchi R. Suppression of Hall-term effects by gyroviscous cancellation in steady collisionless magnetic reconnection. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2005; 95:045003. [PMID: 16090817 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.95.045003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2005] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The formation of an ion-dissipation region, in which motions of electrons and ions decouple and fast magnetic reconnection occurs, is demonstrated during a steady state of two-dimensional collisionless driven reconnection by means of full-particle simulations. The Hall-term effect is suppressed due to the gyroviscous cancellation at scales between the ion-skin depth and ion-meandering-orbit scale, and thus ions are tied to the magnetic field. The ion frozen-in constraint is strongly broken by nongyrotropic pressure tensor effects due to ion-meandering motion, and thus the ion-dissipation region is formed at scales below the ion-meandering-orbit scale. A similar process is observed in the formation of an electron-dissipation region. These two dissipation regions are clearly observed in an out-of-plane current density profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ishizawa
- National Institute for Fusion Science, Toki, Japan.
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Pei W, Horiuchi R, Sato T. Ion dynamics in steady collisionless driven reconnection. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2001; 87:235003. [PMID: 11736456 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.87.235003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2001] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Steady collisionless driven reconnection in an open system is investigated by means of a new two-dimensional full-particle simulation. The reconnection rate is controlled by an external driving electric field. Ion-meandering motion plays an important role in ion dynamics which controls the spatial structures of ion quantities. Although the electric current is predominantly carried by electrons, the current layer has the half-width of the ion-meandering orbit scale because the density profile is controlled by massive-ion motion. Thus, the global dynamic behavior of reconnection is dominantly controlled by ion dynamics. An electrostatic field generated through the finite-Larmor-radius effect leads to electron acceleration in the equilibrium current direction in the ion-dissipation region and ion heating by intensifying meandering motion. Our results are in agreement with the recent experimental results of Yamada et al. [Phys. Plasmas 7, 1781 (2000)] and of Hus et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 3859 (2000)].
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Affiliation(s)
- W Pei
- The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Oroshi-cho 322-6, Toki, 509-5292, Japan
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