An intuitive two-fluid picture of spontaneous 2D collisionless magnetic reconnection and whistler wave generation
Abstract
An intuitive and physical two-fluid picture of spontaneous 2D collisionless magnetic reconnection and whistler wave generation is presented in the framework of 3D electron-magnetohydrodynamics. In this regime, canonical circulation (Q=me∇×u+qeB) flux tubes can be defined in analogy to magnetic flux tubes in ideal magnetohydrodynamics. Following the 3D behavior of these Q flux tubes provides a new perspective on collisionless reconnection—a perspective that has been hard to perceive via examinations of 2D projections. This shows that even in a 2D geometry with an ignorable coordinate, a 3D examination is essential for a full comprehension of the process. Intuitive answers are given to three main questions in collisionless reconnection: why is reconnection spontaneous, why do particles accelerate extremely fast, and why are whistler waves generated? Possible extensions to other regimes are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Mar 09, 2018
- Source ID
- 10.1063/1.5016345
Entities
People
- Paul M. Bellan
- Young Dae Yoon
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- California Institute of Technology
- National Science Foundation
- United States Department of Energy