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Force balance near an X line in a collisionless plasmaThe suggestion by Dungey (1988) that the gyroviscosity associated with gradients of the off-diagonal elements of the electron pressure tensor can balance a reconnection electric field along a magnetic X line in a collisionless plasma is investigated. The detailed balance of forces in the vicinity of an X line is evaluated using a two-dimensional magnetic field model and a simple model for particle motion. The results show that the gyroviscosity can indeed provide the force required to balance a reconnection electric field in that region, so that neither collisions nor wave turbulence are necessary for reconnection. The results also show that there should not be a significant increase in current from electron acceleration very near an X line. Reasonable numerical estimates are obtained for conditions expected in the vicinity of the distant X line in the geomagnetic tail.
Document ID
19910034349
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Lyons, L. R.
(Aerospace Corp. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Pridmore-Brown, D. C.
(Aerospace Corp. Space Sciences Laboratory, Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 95
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Plasma Physics
Accession Number
91A18972
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1613
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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