Current sheets and pressure anisotropy in the reconnection exhaust
Date
2014-01-14Type of Work
10 pagesText
journal articles
Citation of Original Publication
Le, A. et al.; Current sheets and pressure anisotropy in the reconnection exhaust; Physics of Plasmas 21, 012103, 14 January, 2014; https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4861871Rights
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Abstract
A particle-in-cell simulation shows that the exhaust during anti-parallel reconnection in the collisionless regime contains a current sheet extending 100 inertial lengths from the X line. The current sheet is supported by electron pressure anisotropy near the X line and ion anisotropy farther downstream. Field-aligned electron currents flowing outside the magnetic separatrices feed the exhaust current sheet and generate the out-of-plane, or Hall, magnetic field. Existing models based on different mechanisms for each particle species provide good estimates for the levels of pressure anisotropy. The ion anisotropy, which is strong enough to reach the firehose instability threshold, is also important for overall force balance. It reduces the outflow speed of the plasma.
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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as This item is likely protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. Unless on a Creative Commons license, for uses protected by Copyright Law, contact the copyright holder or the author.