Ohm's law in gyrokinetic magnetic reconnection

POSTER

Abstract

We present numerical results of nonlinear simulations of collisionless magnetic reconnection in a strong guide magnetic field limit ($B_{\perp}/B_{g} \sim \rho/L \ll 1$, where $B_{g}$ and $B_{\perp}$ are the guide magnetic field and the magnetic field perpendicular to the guide field, $\rho$ is the Larmor radius, and $L$ is the macroscopic scale length associated with the parallel dynamics to the guide field using the \texttt{AstroGK} astrophysical gyrokinetics code. In the presence of the guide field, microscopic electron dynamics in the dissipation region, which is believed to break frozen-in condition, may change because of magnetization. We examine the generalized Ohm's law in the gyrokinetic reconnection, which describes the electron dynamics. The results will be compared with other simulation results based on PIC or fluid models. Specifically, we discuss the effect of off-diagonal elements of the electron pressure tensor.

Authors

  • Ryusuke Numata

    University of Maryland

  • William Dorland

    University of Maryland, University of Maryland; Center for Multiscale Plasma Dynamics, U. Maryland, Univ. of Maryland, University of Maryland, College Park

  • Tomoya Tatsuno

    University of Maryland

  • Barret Rogers

    Dartmouth College