Plasma and Fusion Research

Volume 11, 1301087 (2016)

Letters

Energy Flux due to Electromagnetic Fluctuations during Guide Field Magnetic Reconnection
Akihiro KUWAHATA, Michiaki INOMOTO, Ryoma YANAI1) and Yasushi ONO
The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8561, Japan
1)
The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
(Received 11 January 2016 / Accepted 19 March 2016 / Published 16 June 2016)

Abstract

Large electromagnetic fluctuations inside the current sheet and large reconnection electric fields are observed during fast magnetic reconnection in the presence of a guide field. The fluctuations transport 2.5% of the dissipated magnetic energy from the reconnection region. Although the energy gains of the ions and electrons are approximately 60% and 12%, respectively, of the dissipated magnetic energy after the fast reconnection, the energy of fluctuations is not comparable to their energy gains. The fluctuations do not directly contribute to the energy conversion but might cause the fast reconnection leading to the rapid release of magnetic energy.

Keywords

electromagnetic fluctuation, guide field magnetic reconnection, fast reconnection, energy conversion, ion heating and acceleration

DOI: 10.1585/pfr.11.1301087

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