Dynamics of Energy Conversion in Generator Regions During Magnetic Reconnection
Abstract
The conversion rate of electromagnetic energy to thermal and bulk kinetic energy in a plasma can be expressed as J・ E. In studies of reconnection, highly concentrated energy conversion largely due to contributions by the non-ideal electric field E' = E + Ve × B occur around the electron diffusion region (EDR) where electrons are demagnetized from the magnetic field. Most of the EDR is characterized by a region of positive J・ E' and J・ E, however there are also smaller regions where J・ E can be negative, indicative of a transfer of energy from the plasma back into the electromagnetic field. These 'generator' regions are often observed along the separatrices, as well as in the electron exhaust regions at the edge of the EDR, where electrons begin to remagnetize. We use simulations and MMS data to investigate the dynamics and budgets of energy transfer in generator regions. We examine the divergence of different energy fluxes to understand the loss of plasma energy in more detail. We also trace the possible particle trajectories into these generator regions using a Boris push method for moving test particles through particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. The range of paths electrons take into generator regions can provide further insight into the types of processes around the central EDR that end up influencing the dynamics of generator regions just downstream in the outer EDR.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFMSM21B3151P
- Keywords:
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- 2723 Magnetic reconnection;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS;
- 2744 Magnetotail;
- MAGNETOSPHERIC PHYSICS;
- 7526 Magnetic reconnection;
- SOLAR PHYSICS;
- ASTROPHYSICS;
- AND ASTRONOMY;
- 7835 Magnetic reconnection;
- SPACE PLASMA PHYSICS