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Development of the ambipolar electric field in a compressed current sheet and the impact on magnetic reconnection

Part of: Papers from MagNetUS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 January 2024

Ami M. DuBois Open the ORCID record for Ami M. DuBois [Opens in a new window] ,
Chris Crabtree Open the ORCID record for Chris Crabtree [Opens in a new window]  and
Gurudas Ganguli Open the ORCID record for Gurudas Ganguli [Opens in a new window]
Ami M. DuBois*
Affiliation:
Plasma Physics Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA
Chris Crabtree
Affiliation:
Plasma Physics Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA
Gurudas Ganguli
Affiliation:
Plasma Physics Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA
*
†Email address for correspondence: ami.dubois@nrl.navy.mil
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Abstract

Satellite data analysis of a compressed gyro-scale current sheet prior to magnetic reconnection in the magnetotail shows that electrostatic lower hybrid waves localized to the region of a transverse ambipolar electric field at the centre of the current sheet are driven by $\boldsymbol{E} \times \boldsymbol{B}$ velocity shear and result from compression. The presence and location of shear-driven waves around the centre of the current sheet, where the magnetic field reverses and the density gradient is minimal, is consistent with our model. This is notable because the free energy source is the curvature of the electron $\boldsymbol{E} \times \boldsymbol{B}$ flow and not the density gradient. Laboratory experiments and particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations have shown that shear-driven lower hybrid fluctuations are capable of producing anomalous cross-field transport (viscosity) and resistivity, which can trigger magnetic reconnection. We estimate the terms in the generalized Ohm's Law directly from MMS data as the spacecraft cross a gyro-scale current sheet. Our analysis shows that the wave effects (resistivity, diffusion and viscosity) and pressure anisotropy effects are comparable. We also find that the quasi-static electric field gradient is correlated with a non-gyrotropic electron distribution function, which is consistent with our model. Furthermore, theoretical arguments suggest agyrotropy is an indicator of the possibility for magnetic reconnection to occur.

Keywords

space plasma physicsplasma wavesplasma flows
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Plasma Physics , Volume 90 , Issue 1 , February 2024 , 985900101
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Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press

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