Evidence for an elongated (>60 ion skin depths) electron diffusion region during fast magnetic reconnection |
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Authors: | Phan T D Drake J F Shay M A Mozer F S Eastwood J P |
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Institution: | Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA. |
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Abstract: | Observations of an extremely elongated electron diffusion region occurring during fast reconnection are presented. Cluster spacecraft in situ observations of an expanding reconnection exhaust reveal a broad current layer ( approximately 10 ion skin depths thick) supporting the reversal of the reconnecting magnetic field together with an intense current embedded at the center that is due to a super-Alfvénic electron outflow jet with transverse scale of approximately 9 electron skin depths. The electron jet extends at least 60 ion skin depths downstream from the X-line. |
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