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Electron Dynamics in the Diffusion Region of an Asymmetric Magnetic Reconnection

D. B. Graham, Yu. V. Khotyaintsev, A. Vaivads, M. André, and A. N. Fazakerley
Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 215004 – Published 28 May 2014
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Abstract

During a magnetopause crossing near the subsolar point Cluster observes the ion diffusion region of antiparallel magnetic reconnection. The reconnecting plasmas are asymmetric, differing in magnetic field strength, density, and temperature. Spatial changes in the electron distributions in the diffusion region are resolved and investigated in detail. Heating of magnetosheath electrons parallel to the magnetic field is observed. This heating is shown to be consistent with trapping of magnetosheath electrons by parallel electric fields.

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  • Received 11 December 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.215004

This article is available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.

© 2014 American Physical Society

Synopsis

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Asymmetric Reconnections

Published 28 May 2014

Satellite observations of the Earth’s magnetosphere reveal how electrons are heated when plasmas with different densities, temperatures, and magnetic field strengths collide.

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Authors & Affiliations

D. B. Graham1, Yu. V. Khotyaintsev1, A. Vaivads1, M. André1, and A. N. Fazakerley2

  • 1Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Uppsala, P. O. Box 537, 751 21 Uppsala, Sweden
  • 2Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking RH5 6NT, United Kingdom

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Issue

Vol. 112, Iss. 21 — 30 May 2014

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