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Driven magnetic reconnection in three dimensions - Energy conversion and field-aligned current generationThe energy conversion processes occurring in three-dimensional driven reconnection is analyzed. In particular, the energy conversion processes during localized reconnection in a taillike magnetic configuration are studied. It is found that three-dimensional driven reconnection is a powerful energy converter which transforms magnetic energy into plasma bulk flow and thermal energy. Three-dimensional driven reconnection is an even more powerful energy converter than two-dimensional reconnection, because in the three-dimensional case, plasmas were drawn into the reconnection region from the sides as well as from the top and bottom. Field-aligned currents are generated by three-dimensional driven reconnection. The physical mechanism responsible for these currents which flow from the tail toward the ionosphere on the dawnside of the reconnection region and from the ionosphere toward the tail on the duskside is identified. The field-aligned currents form as the neutral sheet current is diverted through the slow shocks which form on the outer edge of the reconnected field lines (outer edge of the plasma sheet).
Document ID
19850030808
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Sato, T.
(California, University Los Angeles, CA; Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan)
Walker, R. J.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Ashour-Abdalla, M.
(California, University Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 89
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
85A12959
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-78
CONTRACT_GRANT: F19628-82-K-0019
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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