Kinetic Signatures of the Diffusion Region During Asymmetric Magnetic Reconnection: Electric Fields
Abstract
Asymmetric magnetic reconnection, where the inflow densities and magnetic fields are different on the two sides of the x-line, has been the focus of much scrutiny. While it has been shown that the kinetic structures in the diffusion region are skewed during asymmetric reconnection, their dependence on inflow conditions and the underlying physics responsible is uncertain. We study these kinetic structures using fully kinetic particle-in-cell simulations with various asymmetric inflow conditions. Focussing on the structure of electric fields in the plane of reconnection, we find that many aspects of this structure can be predicted using a simplistic 1D quasi-static equilibrium model for variation along the inflow direction, including the strong Hall normal electric field. We also show that in the case where particles on one of the inflow sides have a Larmor radius larger than the width of the diffusion region, the system can develop an additional in-plane electric field structure due to the physics of finite Larmor radius. This electric field structure is expected to be present under the day-side reconnection parameters, providing another key indication for observations to locate the day-side reconnection site.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012AGUFMSM21B2277M
- Keywords:
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- 2723 MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS / Magnetic reconnection;
- 7526 SOLAR PHYSICS;
- ASTROPHYSICS;
- AND ASTRONOMY / Magnetic reconnection;
- 7835 SPACE PLASMA PHYSICS / Magnetic reconnection