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In situ spacecraft observations of a structured electron diffusion region during magnetopause reconnection
Giulia Cozzani1,2, A Retinò1, F Califano2
1Laboratoire de Physique des Plasmas, CNRS/Ecole Polytechnique/Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Sud, Observatoire de Paris, 91128 Palaiseau, France.
Physical Review. E
|May 22, 2019
Summary
The electron diffusion region (EDR) can be structured, not homogeneous. Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) spacecraft revealed inhomogeneous current densities and energy conversion within the EDR, challenging previous assumptions.
Area of Science:
- Space Physics
- Plasma Physics
- Astrophysics
Background:
- The electron diffusion region (EDR) is crucial for magnetic reconnection and electron energization.
- Understanding the EDR's structure is limited due to experimental challenges.
- A key debate is whether the EDR is homogeneous or patchy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structure of the electron diffusion region (EDR).
- To determine if the EDR exhibits a homogeneous or inhomogeneous nature.
- To provide observational evidence for EDR structure at the terrestrial magnetopause.
Main Methods:
- Utilized multipoint observations from Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) spacecraft.
- Analyzed data when spacecraft separation was comparable to electron inertial lengths.
- Focused on measurements within the EDR at the terrestrial magnetopause.
Main Results:
- Observed inhomogeneous current densities within the EDR.
- Detected variations in energy conversion over a few electron inertial lengths.
- Provided evidence supporting a structured EDR, not a homogeneous one.
Conclusions:
- The electron diffusion region (EDR) can possess a structured, inhomogeneous nature.
- Multipoint MMS observations confirm the EDR's complexity.
- Findings align with recent high-resolution kinetic simulations.
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