The effect of reconnection electric field on crescent and U-shaped distribution functions in asymmetric reconnection with no guide field

被引：24

作者：

Bessho, N. ^{[1
,2
]}

Chen, L. -J. ^{[1
,2
]}

Hesse, M. ^{[3
]}

Wang, S. ^{[1
,2
]}

机构：

[1] Univ Maryland, Dept Astron, College Pk, MD 20742 USA

[2] NASA, Goddard Space Flight Ctr, Heliophys Sci Div, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA

[3] Univ Bergen, Birkeland Ctr Space Sci, Bergen, Norway

来源：

PHYSICS OF PLASMAS | 2017年 / 24卷 / 07期

关键词：

DIFFUSION REGION; ENERGIZATION;

D O I：

10.1063/1.4989737

中图分类号：

O35 [流体力学]; O53 [等离子体物理学];

学科分类号：

070204 ; 080103 ; 080704 ;

摘要：

Electron distribution functions in the electron diffusion region in asymmetric reconnection without a guide field are studied by means of theory and 2-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. The effect of the reconnection electric field on crescent-shaped distribution functions is to broaden the thickness of the crescent. We express the thickness of the crescent as a function of field strengths, the distance from the X-line, and the time electrons spend executing meandering orbits. The electron distribution at the reconnection X-line exhibits a U-shaped structure with an opening angle in the direction of the reconnection electric field. We predict the opening angle of the U-shaped distribution by considering acceleration of the meandering electrons by the reconnection electric field. Results from particle tracing in PIC simulations and theoretical analysis agree. The above predictions provide guidance to interpret measurements by spacecraft from electron diffusion regions in asymmetric reconnection. Published by AIP Publishing.

引用

页数：30

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