Asymmetrically Varying Guide Field During Magnetic Reconnection: Particle‐In‐Cell Simulations

Abstract

Magnetic reconnection is a process where stored magnetic energy is converted into kinetic and thermal plasma energy. This energy conversion is caused by a macroscopic change in the magnetic topology. How this process evolves is highly dependent on the conditions of the magnetic fields and plasma in which it occurs. Significant multiscale differences in configuration, evolution, and efficiency of the reconnection process have been shown to depend on both the initial symmetry, shear and magnitudes of the magnetic field, and the temperature, composition, distribution, and dynamics of the plasma (