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Updated: May 14, 2026
06:42
Magnetically Induced Rotating Rayleigh-Taylor Instability
Published on: March 3, 2017
Plasmoid-induced turbulence in collisionless magnetic reconnection
Keizo Fujimoto1, Richard D Sydora
1Division of Theoretical Astronomy, National Astronomical Observatory, 2-21-1 Ohsawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8588, Japan. keizo.fujimoto@nao.ac.jp
Physical Review Letters
|February 2, 2013
Summary
Collisionless magnetic reconnection involves turbulent electron flow, driven by an electromagnetic mode, which enhances momentum transport and dissipation. This turbulence, amplified by plasmoid formations, is crucial for understanding energy conversion in space plasmas.
Area of Science:
- Plasma Physics
- Astrophysics
- Space Physics
Background:
- Collisionless magnetic reconnection is a key process in space plasmas, responsible for energy dissipation.
- Understanding the dissipation mechanism is crucial for explaining phenomena like solar flares and geomagnetic storms.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the dissipation mechanism in collisionless magnetic reconnection during a quasisteady period.
- Analyze the role of electromagnetic turbulence and plasmoid formations in antiparallel magnetic field configurations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a three-dimensional, fully kinetic simulation.
- Performed linear analyses to confirm the survival of the identified mode.
Main Results:
- A current-aligned electromagnetic mode generates turbulent electron flow, aiding momentum transport and current density.
- Electromagnetic turbulence is significantly amplified by plasmoid formations.
- Turbulence impacts dissipation at the magnetic x-line.
Conclusions:
- The identified electromagnetic mode and associated turbulence play a vital role in collisionless magnetic reconnection.
- The findings are relevant for realistic plasma conditions, including the ion-to-electron mass ratio.
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