Localized Oscillatory Energy Conversion in Magnetopause Reconnection

Burch, J. L.; Ergun, R. E.; Cassak, P. A.; Webster, J.; Torbert, R. B.; Giles, B. L.; Dorelli, J.; Rager, A. C.; Hwang, Kyoung‐Joo; Phan, T. D.; Genestreti, K. J.; Allen, R. C.; Chen, Li‐Jen; Wang, S.; Gershman, D. J.; Contel, O. Le; Russell, C. T.; Strangeway, R. J.; Wilder, F. D.; Graham, Daniel B.; Hesse, M.; Drake, J. F.; Swisdak, M.; Price, L.; Shay, M. A.; Lindqvist, Per‐Arne; Pollock, C. J.; Denton, R. E.; Newman, D. L.

doi:10.1002/2017gl076809

Cited by 45 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Although our simulations necessarily include some simplifying approximations, they agree with many features of the MMS observations (Burch et al, ) while simultaneously providing a synoptic view. During asymmetric reconnection with a small guide field, we observe spatially oscillatory dissipation signatures in which J · E changes sign over a characteristic scale length of a few d e 0 .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

“…Here we use a high‐resolution particle‐in‐cell (PIC) simulation to explore the structure of asymmetric reconnection in a system with initial conditions based on MMS observations (Burch et al, , ). We demonstrate that a jet of electrons streaming toward the magnetosphere and across the X‐point produces a standing structure with nonuniform but intense energy conversion (such structures can also be seen, although are not explained, in Cassak et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Localized and Intense Energy Conversion in the Diffusion Region of Asymmetric Magnetic Reconnection

Swisdak

Drake

Price

et al. 2018

Geophysical Research Letters

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We analyze a high‐resolution simulation of magnetopause reconnection observed by the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission and explain the occurrence of strongly localized dissipation with an amplitude more than an order of magnitude larger than expected. Unlike symmetric reconnection, wherein reconnection of the ambient reversed magnetic field drives the dissipation, we find that the annihilation of the self‐generated, out‐of‐plane (Hall) magnetic field plays the dominant role. Electrons flow along the magnetosheath separatrices, converge in the diffusion region, and jet past the X‐point into the magnetosphere. The resulting accumulation of negative charge generates intense parallel electric fields that eject electrons along the magnetospheric separatrices and produce field‐aligned beams. Many of these features match Magnetospheric Multiscale observations.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Localized and Intense Energy Conversion in the Diffusion Region of Asymmetric Magnetic Reconnection

Swisdak

Drake

Price

et al. 2018

Geophysical Research Letters

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“…We note that in the present study, we focus on electromagnetic whistlers (Graham et al, ; Le Contel et al, ; Wilder et al, ; Wilder, Ergun, Goodrich , et al, ). Electrostatic whistlers have been reported to occur near the diffusion region, though they can be bursty and challenging to separate out from other wave modes (Argall et al, ; Burch et al, ). The LHDI also occurs toward the magnetosphere side but can get closer to the X‐line and stagnation point.…”

Section: Survey Of Edr Eventsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Survey of Plasma Waves Appearing Near Dayside Magnetopause Electron Diffusion Region Events

et al. 2019

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One of the major unresolved questions regarding the magnetic reconnection phenomenon is how plasma waves impact the process. In 2015, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration launched the four‐satellite Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission to study magnetic reconnection, especially on the electron scale. Since launch, it has identified several wave modes below the electron plasma frequency that occur near the dayside reconnection X‐line. These include large‐amplitude parallel electrostatic waves, whistler mode waves, lower hybrid waves, and turbulence associated with a corrugated current structure. We survey 23 electron diffusion region events observed by Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission at the dayside magnetopause to help understand how these wave modes impact the reconnection process. Common wave modes are identified, as well as their typical location within the reconnection layer (e.g., electron diffusion region, ion diffusion region, separatrix, and inflow and outflow jets). We find that, with a few exceptions, electromagnetic whistlers are most commonly confined to the separatrices of the exhaust boundary. Lower hybrid waves are found on the magnetosphere side of the current layer and do not make it to the X‐line. The wave modes that typically occur closest to the dissipation region are the corrugated current structures and large‐amplitude parallel electrostatic waves.

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“…They have been suggested to facilitate the reconnection process (Deng & Matsumoto, ; Drake et al, ; Mandt et al, ), to modulate the reconnection rate (Goldman et al, ), and to accelerate electrons near the magnetopause boundary (Jaynes et al, ; Sharma et al, ). In addition, the standing oblique electrostatic whistler waves near the electron diffusion region edge may cause local dissipation (Burch, Ergun, et al, ). However, the origin of whistler mode waves and how they lead to energy transfer and dissipation in the reconnection region are still not well understood.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Local Excitation of Whistler Mode Waves and Associated Langmuir Waves at Dayside Reconnection Regions

Bortnik

et al. 2018

Geophysical Research Letters

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In the Earth's dayside reconnection boundary layer, whistler mode waves coincide with magnetic field openings and the formation of the resultant anisotropic electrons. Depending on the energy range of anisotropic electrons, whistlers can grow at frequencies in the upper and/or lower band. Observations show that whistler mode waves modulate Langmuir wave amplitude as they propagate toward the X line. Observations of whistler mode wave phase and Langmuir waves packets, as well as coincident electron measurements, reveal that whistler mode waves can accelerate electrons via Landau resonance at locations where E||is antiparallel to the wave propagation direction. The accelerated electrons produce localized beams, which subsequently drive the periodically modulated Langmuir waves. The close association of those two wave modes reveals the microscale electron dynamics in the exhaust region, and the proposed mechanism could potentially be applied to explain the modulation events observed in planetary magnetospheres and in the solar wind.

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Localized Oscillatory Energy Conversion in Magnetopause Reconnection

Cited by 45 publications

References 25 publications

Localized and Intense Energy Conversion in the Diffusion Region of Asymmetric Magnetic Reconnection

Localized and Intense Energy Conversion in the Diffusion Region of Asymmetric Magnetic Reconnection

A Survey of Plasma Waves Appearing Near Dayside Magnetopause Electron Diffusion Region Events

Local Excitation of Whistler Mode Waves and Associated Langmuir Waves at Dayside Reconnection Regions

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