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Effect of the Reconnection Electric Field on Electron Distribution Functions in the Diffusion Region of Magnetotail Reconnection
Author(s) -
Bessho N.,
Chen L.J.,
Wang S.,
Hesse M.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2018gl081216
Subject(s) - physics , magnetic reconnection , electric field , electron , distribution function , diffusion , field (mathematics) , current sheet , magnetic field , plane (geometry) , acceleration , field line , computational physics , amplitude , classical mechanics , quantum electrodynamics , magnetohydrodynamics , geometry , quantum mechanics , mathematics , pure mathematics
Abstract 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.