The Hall fields and fast magnetic reconnection

• DOI: 10.1063/1.2901194
• Publication Date: 2008-04-15T23:47:16Z
• Authors: J. F. Drake; M. A. Shay; M. Swisdak
• Keywords: Outflow; Whistler; Field line

The results of large-scale, particle-in-cell simulations are presented on the role Hall electric and magnetic fields structure electron dissipation region outflow exhaust during collisionless reconnection antiparallel fields. reveal that whistler wave plays key in driving electrons away from x-line. Further downstream consists a narrow super-Alfvénic jet, which remains collimated far x-line, flanked by pedestal whose width increases monotonically with increasing distance downstream. open exhaust, is required for fast large systems, driven Finally, it ultimately facilitates diverting flowing toward current layer into direction thereby limiting length this layer. contrasted an electron-positron plasma where absent. consequence expanding that, consistent recent observations, extended jet carries smaller fraction outflowing suggest might be sensitive to boundary conditions unless simulation along sufficiently