Kinetic signatures of the region surrounding the X line in asymmetric (magnetopause) reconnection

M. A. Shay; T. D. Phan; C. C. Haggerty; M. Fujimoto; J. F. Drake; K. Malakit; P. A. Cassak; M. Swisdak

doi:10.1002/2016GL069034

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Kinetic signatures of the region surrounding the X line in asymmetric (magnetopause) reconnection

Journal article

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Kinetic signatures of the region surrounding the X line in asymmetric (magnetopause) reconnection

M. A. Shay, T. D. Phan, C. C. Haggerty, M. Fujimoto, J. F. Drake, K. Malakit, P. A. Cassak and M. Swisdak

Geophysical research letters, Vol.43(9), pp.4145-4154

05/16/2016

DOI: 10.1002/2016GL069034

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Abstract

Kinetic particle-in-cell simulations are used to identify signatures of the electron diffusion region (EDR) and its surroundings during asymmetric magnetic reconnection. A "shoulder" in the sunward pointing normal electric field (E-N>0) at the reconnection magnetic field reversal is a good indicator of the EDR and is caused by magnetosheath electron meandering orbits in the vicinity of the X line. Earthward of the X line, electrons accelerated by EN form strong currents and crescent-shaped distribution functions in the plane perpendicular to B. Just downstream of the X line, parallel electric fields create field-aligned crescent electron distribution functions. In the immediate upstream magnetosheath, magnetic field strength, plasma density, and perpendicular electron temperatures are lower than the asymptotic state. In the magnetosphere inflow region, magnetosheath ions intrude resulting in an Earthward pointing electric field and parallel heating of magnetospheric particles. Many of the above properties persist with a guide field of at least unity.

Geology

Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Physical Sciences

Science & Technology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Kinetic signatures of the region surrounding the X line in asymmetric (magnetopause) reconnection
Creators: M. A. Shay - University of Delaware
T. D. Phan - University of California, Berkeley
C. C. Haggerty - University of Delaware
M. Fujimoto - ISAS, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
J. F. Drake - University of Maryland, College Park
K. Malakit - Mahidol University
P. A. Cassak - West Virginia University
M. Swisdak - University of Maryland, College Park
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Geophysical research letters, Vol.43(9), pp.4145-4154
DOI: 10.1002/2016GL069034
ISSN: 0094-8276
eISSN: 1944-8007
Publisher: Amer Geophysical Union
Number of pages: 10
Grant note: AGS-1202330; AGS-0953463 / NSF; National Science Foundation (NSF) UDel NASA Space grant NNX08A083G-MMS IDS; NNX14AC78G; NNX13AD72G; NNX15AW58G / NASA; National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)
Language: English
Date published: 05/16/2016
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9985224412902771

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