Highly Nonlinear Features of Electron Diffusion Region

Using a fully three-dimensional Particle-in-cell code and real ion to electron mass ratio of 1836 in a hydrogen plasma, we simulated electrodynamics in an extremely thin current sheet (CS) with and without a guide field. Simulations reveal several highly nonlinear features of electron diffusion region as measured from satellites in magneto-tail and magnetopause regions. These features include: (i) ion acceleration by the Hall electric field like in a ion thruster, (ii) bifurcated current sheet by current disruption (iii) fine-scale step-like structure in the CS magnetic field profile, (iv) strong clumping of electrons and ions in the midst of the CS, (v) spiky perpendicular electric fields confined within the CS, (vi) generation of current layers parallel to the reconnecting magnetic field in the presence of a guide field, (vii) strong modification in the spatial distribution of the guide field across the CS, and (viii) electron acceleration to relativistic energies by the electromagnetic turbulence. Results from the satellite observations and simulations are compared quantitatively.