Three-dimensional Dynamics of Strongly Magnetized Ion-Electron Relativistic Reconnection

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Bacchini, Fabio, Werner, Gregory R., Granier, Camille, Vos, Jesse
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Bacchini, Fabio
Werner, Gregory R.
Granier, Camille
Vos, Jesse
author_facet Bacchini, Fabio
Werner, Gregory R.
Granier, Camille
Vos, Jesse
contents We present 3D simulations of semirelativistic collisionless magnetic reconnection, where upstream ions are subrelativistic while electrons are ultrarelativistic. We employ the realistic proton-to-electron mass ratio and explore a range of upstream ion magnetization spanning two orders of magnitude, with our highest-magnetization run achieving unprecedentedly large domain sizes. Through a parameter scan, we find that as the system transitions from mildly to trans- and ultrarelativistic regimes the qualitative behavior of reconnection becomes strongly influenced by 3D effects mediated by drift-kink and flux-rope kink dynamics. As a result, magnetic-energy dissipation at high magnetizations, and the subsequent nonthermal particle acceleration, can become less efficient, contrary to general expectations for 3D relativistic reconnection. Our results have important implications for understanding reconnection in magnetized astrophysical scenarios, such as the surroundings of black holes and neutron stars.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2507_12509
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Three-dimensional Dynamics of Strongly Magnetized Ion-Electron Relativistic Reconnection
Bacchini, Fabio
Werner, Gregory R.
Granier, Camille
Vos, Jesse
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Plasma Physics
We present 3D simulations of semirelativistic collisionless magnetic reconnection, where upstream ions are subrelativistic while electrons are ultrarelativistic. We employ the realistic proton-to-electron mass ratio and explore a range of upstream ion magnetization spanning two orders of magnitude, with our highest-magnetization run achieving unprecedentedly large domain sizes. Through a parameter scan, we find that as the system transitions from mildly to trans- and ultrarelativistic regimes the qualitative behavior of reconnection becomes strongly influenced by 3D effects mediated by drift-kink and flux-rope kink dynamics. As a result, magnetic-energy dissipation at high magnetizations, and the subsequent nonthermal particle acceleration, can become less efficient, contrary to general expectations for 3D relativistic reconnection. Our results have important implications for understanding reconnection in magnetized astrophysical scenarios, such as the surroundings of black holes and neutron stars.
title Three-dimensional Dynamics of Strongly Magnetized Ion-Electron Relativistic Reconnection
topic High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Plasma Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.12509