Effect of the Reconnection Electric Field on Electron Distribution Functions in the Diffusion Region of Magnetotail Reconnection

[摘要] Electron distribution functions in the electron diffusion region during symmetric magnetic reconnection are investigated by means of theory and fully kinetic simulations. Crescent‐like striations are formed in distribution functions in the velocity plane perpendicular to the magnetic field. Using an analytical current sheet, we solve the equation of motion for electrons, and derive the shape of a crescent distribution, as a function of the distance from the neutral line, field gradients, and the reconnection electric field. Each crescent is tilted in the velocity plane because of the acceleration by the reconnection electric field, and multiple stripes appear due to multiple meandering bounces. Applying the theory to distribution functions observed in Earth's magnetotail, we deduce the amplitude of the reconnection electric field.

[发布日期] 2018-11-12

[学科分类] 原子、分子光学和等离子物理

[关键词] COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION;DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS;ELECTRIC FIELDS;ELECTRON MOBILITY;GEOMAGNETIC TAIL;MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS;MAGNETIC FIELD RECONNECTION;PARTICLE MOTION;PLANETARY MAGNETOTAILS;PLASMAS (PHYSICS);VELOCITY DISTRIBUTION