Magnetospheric Multiscale Satellites Observations of Parallel Electric Fields Associated with Magnetic Reconnection

• DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.116.235102
• Publication Date: 2016-06-11T00:14:08Z
• Authors: R. E. Ergun; K. A. Goodrich; F. D. Wilder; J. C. Holmes; J. E. Stawarz; S. Eriksson; A. P. Sturner; D. M. Malaspina; M. E. Usanova; R. B. Torbert; P.-A. Lindqvist; Y. Khotyaintsev; J. L. Burch; R. J. Strangeway; C. T. Russell; C. J. Pollock; B. L. Giles; M. Hesse; L. J. Chen; G. Lapenta; M. V. Goldman; D. L. Newman; S. J. Schwartz; J. P. Eastwood; T. D. Phan; F. S. Mozer; J. Drake; M. A. Shay; P. A. Cassak; R. Nakamura; G. Marklund
• Keywords: Current sheet; Antiparallel (mathematics)

We report observations from the Magnetospheric Multiscale satellites of parallel electric fields (E_{∥}) associated with magnetic reconnection in subsolar region Earth's magnetopause. E_{∥} events near electron diffusion have amplitudes on order 100 mV/m, which are significantly larger than those predicted for an antiparallel field. This Letter addresses specific types events, appear as large-amplitude, unipolar spikes that tangled, reconnected fields. These primarily or a current layer separatrix and interpreted to be double layers may responsible secondary tangled flux ropes. results telling three-dimensional nature magnetopause indicate often patchy and/or drive turbulence along ropes