Two-Scale Structure of the Electron Dissipation Region during Collisionless Magnetic ReconnectionPublication date: 09 Oct 2007 Authors: Shay, M. A. et al.
Journal: Phys. Rev. Lett. Copyright: The American Physical Society Particle-in-cell simulations of collisionless magnetic reconnection are presented that demonstrate that reconnection remains fast in very large systems. The electron dissipation region develops a distinct two-scale structure along the outflow direction. Consistent with fast reconnection, the length of the electron current layer stabilizes and decreases with decreasing electron mass, approaching the ion inertial length for a proton-electron plasma. Surprisingly, the electrons form a super-Alfvénic outflow jet that remains decoupled from the magnetic field and extends large distances downstream from the x line.
Last Update: 24 Jan 2008
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