Electron-only reconnection in 3D kinetic-scale plasma turbulence in a low electron beta environment

Magnetic reconnection has long been considered as one of the fundamental mechanisms of plasma heating and particle acceleration in astrophysical and space plasmas. Recent observations by the MMS mission have hinted at the existence of reconnection events with no ion coupling [1]. In our previous numerical study of 2.5D kinetic scale turbulence, these electron-only reconnection events were seen to be produced naturally in the turbulent environment [2]. In this presentation, we discuss the results of our more recent 3D numerical simulation, run with spectral code SPS. We identify and characterize potential quasi-2D electron-only reconnection sites looking for signatures like electron outflows and particle heating.

[1] - Phan, T. D., Eastwood, J. P., Shay, M. A., et al. 2018, Nature, 557, 202.

[2] - Vega, C., Roytershteyn , V., Delzanno, G. L., Boldyrev, S., 2020 ApJL 893 L10.