Energy conversion and flow in the asymmetric magnetic reconnection layer in laboratory and space plasmas

ORAL

Abstract

The dynamics and physical mechanisms governing the transfer of magnetic energy to plasma particles are comparatively studied during asymmetric reconnection in both laboratory and space plasmas and within the context of two-fluid physics. Despite huge differences in the physical size of the reconnection layer, 30 cm in the MRX (Magnetic Reconnection Experiment) versus ~500 km at the magnetopause (MMS), remarkably similar characteristics are observed in both plasma dynamics and energy deposition profiles. Specifically, in a strongly asymmetric reconnection layers, in which the plasma density on one side of plasma inflow is significantly larger (>10) than the other, it is found that without guide field, the energy deposition to electrons primarily occurs through je⏊·E⏊ in the electron diffusion region. A modified saddle-back-shaped large potential well is observed within the reconnection plane due to the dynamics of the electron current in the layer, and ions are accelerated at the exhaust region resulting in strong ion heating. We find that nearly 60 % of the incoming magnetic energy is transferred to ions and electrons in almost equal portions while the remainder is transported out to the exhaust region.

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Presenters

  • Masaaki Yamada

    Princeton Plasma Physics Lab

Authors

  • Masaaki Yamada

    Princeton Plasma Physics Lab

  • Li-Jen Chen

    NASA Goddard, Univ of Maryland-College Park, NASA/GSFC, NASA GSFC, Univ of Maryland-College Park, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Goddard Space Flight Center

  • Jongsoo Yoo

    Princeton Plasma Phys Lab, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, PPPL, Princeton Plasma Physics Lab

  • Shan Wang

    Univ of Maryland-College Park, NASA/GSFC, UMD/NASA GSFC, Univ of Maryland-College Park, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, Univ of Maryland-College Park

  • Hantao Ji

    Princeton Univ, Princeton Plasma Phys Lab, Princeton Univ, Princeton University, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton Plasma Phys Lab, Princeton University, Princeton Plasma Physics Lab

  • Will Randolph Fox

    Princeton University, Princeton Plasma Physics Lab, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton Plasma Phys Lab, Princeton Plasma Phys Lab, Princeton Univ, PPPL

  • Jon Jara-Almonte

    PPPL, Princeton Plasma Physics Lab

  • William S Daughton

    Los Alamos Natl Lab, Los Alamos National Laboratory, LANL

  • Ari Le

    Los Alamos Natl Lab, Los Alamos National Laboratory