Electron-only reconnection and inverse magnetic-energy transfer at sub-ion scales

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Liu, Zhuo, Silva, Caio, Milanese, Lucio M., Zhou, Muni, Mandell, Noah R., Loureiro, Nuno F.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Liu, Zhuo
Silva, Caio
Milanese, Lucio M.
Zhou, Muni
Mandell, Noah R.
Loureiro, Nuno F.
author_facet Liu, Zhuo
Silva, Caio
Milanese, Lucio M.
Zhou, Muni
Mandell, Noah R.
Loureiro, Nuno F.
contents We derive, and validate numerically, an analytical model for electron-only magnetic reconnection applicable to strongly magnetized plasmas. Our model predicts sub-ion-scale reconnection rates significantly higher than those pertaining to large-scale reconnection, aligning with recent observations and simulations. We apply this reconnection model to the problem of inverse magnetic energy transfer at sub-ion scales. We derive time-dependent scaling laws for the magnetic energy decay and the typical magnetic structure dimensions that differ from those previously found in the MHD regime. These scaling laws are validated via two- and three-dimensional simulations, demonstrating that sub-ion scale magnetic fields can reach large, system-size scales via successive coalescence.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2407_06020
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Electron-only reconnection and inverse magnetic-energy transfer at sub-ion scales
Liu, Zhuo
Silva, Caio
Milanese, Lucio M.
Zhou, Muni
Mandell, Noah R.
Loureiro, Nuno F.
Plasma Physics
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Space Physics
We derive, and validate numerically, an analytical model for electron-only magnetic reconnection applicable to strongly magnetized plasmas. Our model predicts sub-ion-scale reconnection rates significantly higher than those pertaining to large-scale reconnection, aligning with recent observations and simulations. We apply this reconnection model to the problem of inverse magnetic energy transfer at sub-ion scales. We derive time-dependent scaling laws for the magnetic energy decay and the typical magnetic structure dimensions that differ from those previously found in the MHD regime. These scaling laws are validated via two- and three-dimensional simulations, demonstrating that sub-ion scale magnetic fields can reach large, system-size scales via successive coalescence.
title Electron-only reconnection and inverse magnetic-energy transfer at sub-ion scales
topic Plasma Physics
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Space Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.06020