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The Electron Diffusion Region: Forces and CurrentsThe dissipation mechanism of magnetic reconnection remains a subject of intense scientific interest. On one hand, one set of recent studies have shown that particle inertia-based processes, which include thermal and bulk inertial effects, provide the reconnection electric field in the diffusion region. On the other hand, a second set of studies emphasizes the role of wave-particle interactions in providing anomalous resistivity in the diffusion region. In this presentation, we present analytical theory results, as well as PIC simulations of guide-field magnetic reconnection. We will show that the thermal electron inertia-based dissipation mechanism, expressed through nongyrotropic electron pressure tensors, remains viable in three dimensions. We will demonstrate the thermal inertia effect through studies of electron distribution functions. Furthermore, we will show that the reconnection electric field provides a transient acceleration on particles traversing the inner reconnection region. This inertia1 effect can be described as a diffusion-like term of the current density, which matches key features of electron distribution functions.
Document ID
20080039131
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Hesse, Michael
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
July 8, 2008
Subject Category
Electronics And Electrical Engineering
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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