[Table of Contents]

Plasma and Fusion Research

Volume 3, S1054 (2008)

Regular Articles

Formation of Sweet-Parker-Like Electron Dissipation Region in a Driven Open System
Bin LI1), Ritoku HORIUCHI1,2) and Hiroaki OHTANI1,2)
1)
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, 322-6 Oroshi-cho, Toki 509-5292, Japan
2)
National Institute for Fusion Science, 322-6 Oroshi-cho, Toki 509-5292, Japan
(Received 23 October 2007 / Accepted 5 February 2008 / Published 1 August 2008)

Abstract

Nonlinear development of collisionless driven reconnection is investigated by making use of the electromagnetic particle simulation code “PASMO.” This code is developed for an open system, which is subject to an external driving source. The electric field at the reconnection point increases, and approaches the external driving field as time goes on. After the formation of x-shaped field structure around the reconnection point, the length of the electron dissipation region continues to increase for a short time. Finally, it stops to grow and relaxes to a steady state when the ratio of the width to length is constant. Thus, Sweet-Parker-like electron dissipation region is formed in a steady state, while the reconnection rate is controlled by the driving electric field.

Keywords

driven reconnection, collisionless, Sweet-Parker-like, steady state, electrons dissipation region

DOI: 10.1585/pfr.3.S1054

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This paper may be cited as follows:

Bin LI, Ritoku HORIUCHI and Hiroaki OHTANI, Plasma Fusion Res. 3, S1054 (2008).