The influence of boundary conditions on the distribution of energetic electrons during collisionless magnetic reconnection

We conducted 2-D particle-in-cell simulations to investigate the impact of boundary conditions on the evolution of magnetic reconnection. The results demonstrate that the boundary conditions are crucial to this evolution. Specifically, in the cases of traditional periodic boundary(PB) and fully-opened boundary(OB) conditions, the evolutions are quite similar before the system achieves the fastest reconnection rate. However, differences emerge between the two cases afterward. In the PB case, the reconnection electric field experiences a rapid decline and even becomes negative, indicating a reversal of the reconnection process. In contrast, the system maintains a fast reconnection stage in the OB case. Suprathermal electrons are generated near the separatrix and in the exhaust region of both simulation cases. In the electron density depletion layer and the dipolarization front region, a larger proportion of suprathermal electrons are produced in the OB case. Medium-energy electrons are mainly located in the vicinity of the X-line and downstream of the reconnection site in both cases. However, in the OB case, they can also be generated in the electron holes along the separatrix. Before the reverse reconnection stage, no high-energy electrons are present in the PB case. In contrast, about 20% of the electrons in the thin and elongated electron current layer are high-energy in the OB case.

Ion and electron motions in the outer electron diffusion region of collisionless magnetic reconnection

Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations are performed to study the coupling between ion and electron motions in collisionless magnetic reconnection.The electron diffusion region(EDR),where the electron motions are demagnetized,is found to have a two-layer structure:an inner EDR near the reconnection site and an outer EDR that is elongated to nearly 10 ion inertial lengths in the outflow direction.In the inner EDR,the speed of the electron outflow increases when the electrons move away from the X line.In the outer EDR,the speed of the electron outflow first increases and then decreases until the electrons reach the boundary of the outer EDR.In the boundary of the outer EDR,the magnetic field piles up and forms a depolarization front.From the perspective of the fluid,a force analysis on the formation of electron and ion outflows has also been investigated.Around the X line,the electrons are accelerated by the reconnection electric field in the out-of-plane direction.When the electrons move away from the X line,we find that the Lorentz force converts the direction of the accelerated electrons to the x direction,forming an electron outflow.Both electric field forces and electron gradient forces tend to drag the electron outflow.Ion acceleration along the x direction is caused by the Lorentz force,whereas the pressure gradient force tends to decelerate the ion outflow.Although these two terms are important,their effects on ions are almost offset.The Hall electric field force does positive work on ions and is not negligible.The ions are continuously accelerated,and the ion and electron outflow velocities are almost the same near the depolarization front.

Global Hybrid Simulation of Magnetic Reconnection in the Magnetosheath

A three-dimensional(3-D)global hybrid simulation is carried out for the generation and structure of magnetic reconnection in the magnetosheath due to interaction of an interplanetary Tangential Discontinuity(TD)with the bow shock and magnetosphere.Runs are performed for solar wind TDs possessing diFFerent initial half-widths.As the TD propagates through the bow shock toward the magnetopause,it is greatly narrowed by a two-step compression processes,a "shock compression" followed by a subsequent "convective compression".In cases with a relatively thin solar wind TD,3-D patchy reconnection is initiated in the transmitted TD,forming magnetosheath flux ropes.Multiple components of ion particles are present in the velocity distribution in the magnetosheath merging,accompanied by ion heating.For cases with a relatively wide initial TD,a dominant single X-line appears in the subsolar magnetosheath after the transmitted TD is narrowed.A shock analysis is performed for the detailed structure of magnetic reconnection in the magnetosheath.Rotational Discontinuity(RD)/TimeDependent Intermediate Shock(TDIS)are found to dominate the reconnection layer,which and some weak slow shocks are responsible for the ion heating and acceleration.

Effect of the magnetization parameter on electron acceleration during relativistic magnetic reconnection in ultra-intense laser-produced plasma

Relativistic magnetic reconnection(MR)driven by two ultra-intense lasers with different spot separation distances is simulated by a three-dimensional(3D)kinetic relativistic particle-in-cell(PIC)code.We find that changing the separation distance between two laser spots can lead to different magnetization parameters of the laser plasma environment.As the separation distance becomes larger,the magnetization parameterσbecomes smaller.The electrons are accelerated in these MR processes and their energy spectra can be fitted with double power-law spectra whose index will increase with increasing separation distance.Moreover,the collisionless shocks’contribution to energetic electrons is close to the magnetic reconnection contribution withσdecreasing,which results in a steeper electron energy spectrum.Basing on the3D outflow momentum configuration,the energetic electron spectra are recounted and their spectrum index is close to 1 in these three cases because the magnetization parameterσis very high in the 3D outflow area.

Electron acceleration in interaction of magnetic islands in large temporal-spatial turbulent magnetic reconnection

A new combined Fermi, betatron, and turbulent electron acceleration mechanism is proposed in interaction of magnetic islands during turbulent magnetic reconnection evolution in explosive astrophysical phenomena at large temporal-spatial scale(LTSTMR), the ratio of observed current sheets thickness to electron characteristic length, electron Larmor radius for low-β and electron inertial length for high-β, is on the order of 10^(10)–10^(11); the ratio of observed evolution time to electron gyroperiod is on the order of 10~7–10~9).The original combined acceleration model is known to be one of greatest importance in the interaction of magnetic islands; it assumes that the continuous kinetic-dynamic temporal-spatial scale evolution occurs as two separate independent processes.In this paper, we reconsider the combined acceleration mechanism by introducing a kinetic-dynamic-hydro full-coupled model instead of the original micro-kinetic or macro-dynamic model.We investigate different acceleration mechanisms in the vicinity of neutral points in magnetic islands evolution, from the stage of shrink and breakup into smaller islands(kinetic scale), to the stage of coalescence and growth into larger islands(dynamic scale), to the stages of constant and quasi-constant(contracting-expanding) islands(hydro scale).As a result, we give for the first time the acceleration efficiencies of different types of acceleration mechanisms in magnetic islands' interactions in solar atmosphere LTSTMR activities(pico-, 10^(–2)–10~5 m; nano-, 10~5–10~6 m; micro-, 10~6–10~7 m; macro-, 10~7–10~8 m; large-,10~8–10~9 m).

Spontaneous growth of the reconnection electric field during magnetic reconnection with a guide field:A theoretical model and particle-in-cell simulations

Reconnection electric field is a key element of magnetic reconnection.It quantifies the change of magnetic topology and the dissipation of magnetic energy.In this work,two-dimensional(2D)particle-in-cell(PIC)simulations are performed to study the growth of the reconnection electric field in the electron diffusion region(EDR)during magnetic reconnection with a guide field.At first,a seed electric field is produced due to the excitation of the tearing-mode instability.Then,the reconnection electric field in the EDR,which is dominated by the electron pressure tensor term,suffers a spontaneous growth stage and grows exponentially until it saturates.A theoretical model is also proposed to explain such a kind of growth.The reconnection electric field in the EDR is found to be directly proportional to the electron outflow speed.The time derivative of electron outflow speed is proportional to the reconnection electric field in the EDR because the outflow is formed after the inflow electrons are accelerated by the reconnection electric field in the EDR and then directed away along the outflow direction.This kind of reinforcing process at last leads to the exponential growth of the reconnection electric field in the EDR.

Laboratory observation of electron energy distribution near three-dimensional magnetic nulls

The acceleration of electrons near three-dimensional(3D)magnetic nulls is crucial to the energy conversion mechanism in the 3D magnetic reconnection process.To explore electron acceleration in a 3D magnetic null topology,we constructed a pair of 3D magnetic nulls in the PKU Plasma Test(PPT)device and observed acceleration of electrons near magnetic nulls.This study measured the plasma floating potential and ion density profiles around the 3D magnetic null.The potential wells near nulls may be related to the energy variations of electrons,so we measured the electron distribution functions(EDFs)at different spatial positions.The axial variation of EDF shows that the electrons deviate from the Maxwell distribution near magnetic nulls.With scanning probes that can directionally measure and theoretically analyze based on curve fitting,the variations of EDFs are linked to the changes of plasma potential under 3D magnetic null topology.The kinetic energy of electrons accelerated by the electric field is 6 eV(v_(e)~7v_(Alfvén-e))and the scale of the region where accelerating electrons exist is in the order of serval electron skin depths.

Electron acceleration during magnetic islands coalescence and division process in a guide field reconnection

The magnetic merging process related to pairwise magnetic islands coalescence is investigated by two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations with a guide field.Owing to the force of attraction between parallel currents within the initial magnetic islands,the magnetic islands begin to approach each other and merge into one big island.We find that this newly formed island is unstable and can be divided into two small magnetic islands spontaneously.Lastly,these two small islands merge again.We follow the time evolution of this process,in which the contributions of three mechanisms of electron acceleration at different stages,including the Fermi,parallel electric field,and betatron mechanisms,are studied with the guide center theory.

Electron dynamics in collisionless magnetic reconnection with a PIC simulation

Two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation is used to investigate electron dynamics in colli- sionless magnetic reconnection, and the proton/electron mass ratio is taken to be mi /me = 256. The results show that the presence of a strong initial guide field will change the direction of the electron flow. The electron density cavities and the parallel electric field can be found in the electron inflow re- gion along the separatrix, and the electron inflow and density cavities only appear in the second and fourth quadrants. What is different from the results with a smaller mass ratio is that new structures appear in the diffusion region near the X line: (1) Narrow regions of density enhancement and density cavities can be found synchronously in this region; and (2) corresponding to the electron density changes near the X line, the strong parallel electric fields are found to occur in the first and third quadrants. These electric fields perhaps play a more important role in acceleration and heating electrons than those fields located in the density cavities.

Electron dynamics in collisionless magnetic reconnection

Magnetic reconnection provides a physical mechanism for fast energy conversion from magnetic energy to plasma kinetic energy. It is closely associated with many explosive phenomena in space plasma, usually collisionless in character. For this reason, researchers have become more interested in collisionless magnetic reconnection. In this paper, the various roles of electron dynamics in collisionless magnetic reconnection are reviewed. First, at the ion inertial length scale, ions and electrons are decoupled. The resulting Hall effect determines the reconnection electric field. Moreover, electron motions determine the current system inside the reconnection plane and the electron density cavity along the separatrices. The current system in this plane produces an out-of-plane magnetic field. Second, at the electron inertial length scale, the anisotropy of electron pressure determines the magnitude of the reconnection electric field in this region. The production of energetic electrons, which is an important characteristic during magnetic reconnection, is accelerated by the reconnection electric field. In addition, the different topologies, temporal evolution and spatial distribution of the magnetic field affect the accelerating process of electrons and determine the final energy of the accelerated electrons. Third, we discuss results from simulations and spacecraft observations on the secondary magnetic islands produced due to secondary instabilities around the X point, and the associated energetic electrons. Furthermore, progress in laboratory plasma studies is also discussed in regard to electron dynamics during magnetic reconnection. Finally, some unresolved problems are presented.

Contribution of patchy reconnection to the ion-to-electron temperature ratio in the Earth’s magnetotail

The ion-to-electron temperature ratio is a good indicator of the processes involved in the plasma sheet.Observations have suggested that patchy reconnection and the resulting earthward bursty bulk flows(BBFs)transport may be involved in causing the lower temperature ratios at smaller radial distances during southward IMF periods.In this paper,we estimate theoretically how a patchy magnetic reconnection electric field can accelerate ions and electrons differently.If both ions and electrons are non-adiabatically accelerated only once within each reconnection,the temperature ratio would be preserved.However,when reconnection occurs closer to the Earth where magnetic field lines are shorter,particles mirrored back from the ionosphere can cross the reconnection region more than once within one reconnection;and electrons,moving faster than ions,can have more crossings than do ions,leading to electrons being accelerated more than ions.Thus as particles are transported from tail to the near-Earth by BBFs through multiple reconnection,electrons should be accelerated by the reconnection electric field more times than are ions,which can explain the lower temperature ratios observed closer to the Earth.

反常电子粘滞性引起的双撕裂模非线性演化

[目的]在常规电阻撕裂模方程的基础上加入反常电子粘滞性,用圆柱位形的磁流体动力学,对由反常电子粘滞性引起的双撕裂模的非线性发展做了数值研究。[方法]通过对非线性发展阶段磁岛和磁力线的演化分析,详细研究了两个有理面间距分别为较大、中等、较小3种情况下,由反常电子粘滞性引起的双撕裂模非线性发展的不同阶段的磁场拓扑结构的变化以及相关动力学特征,探讨了非线性发展的驱动问题。[结果]研究表明,两个有理面的间距的大小,对双撕裂模非线性发展有很大影响。间距中等时,会发生快速磁重联,对位形破坏最快最大。[结论]研究结果对托卡马克的位形设计和运行时的控制提供了参考。

磁场重联中离子轨道的混合模拟研究

在使用 2 .5维混合模拟方法研究了Petschek模型稳态驱动磁场重联演化的基础上 ,本文考察了计算域内各典型区域中粒子分布函数的变化 ,描绘了重联区不同位置几种类型的非Maxwell分布函数 .结果表明 ,磁场重联会将重联区少部分粒子加速到很高的能量 ,不同加速程度的粒子将形成球壳状的速度分布 .粒子的轨道特征表明 ,在重联区中出流的粒子 ,有一部分被磁镜捕获 ,其回旋半径大于重联区宽度 ,并构成整个流体速度的低速部分 .另外 ,在X中性点附近进入重联区的粒子沿磁力线向出流区以三种形式漂移 ,分别为 :沿磁力线逃逸、捕获在磁镜中随流体运动、横越磁力线漂移 ,其比例分别约为 70 % ,2 0 %和 10 % .

磁场重联中的电子加速机制的数值模拟研究

在应用 2 .5维混合模拟方法研究Petschek模型磁场重联的基础上 ,考察了试验电子被加速的特征 .模拟结果表明 ,稳态的低频重联场能将少量试验电子加速到高能 ,电子的能谱为幂律谱 ,但总体分布函数未发生显著变化 .电子在整个加速过程中被束缚在低磁场的加速区内 ,由重联产生的感应电场Ey 分量对其直接加速 ,根据加速时间和加速区域可以将这些电子分为两种情况 :初始位于加速区和漂移到加速区被加速 .

地球磁层顶磁场重联的动力学过程

The effects of electron pressure gradient term in the generalized Ohm’ law is studied by 3 D MHD simulation code under condition of high plasma Beta and small ion inertial length. The results show that the electron pressure gradient term increases the velocity of electrons and ions, and therefore increases the field aligned current, finally leading to the increase of core magnetic field. Since the field aligned current is the principal way by which the magnetosphere is coupled with the ionosphere, the electron pressure gradient term enhances the coupling of magnetosphere ionosphere. The electron pressure gradient can also generate the dynamic Alfven wave. It is supposed that this Alfven wave may change the velocity of particles.

各向异性等离子体中磁场重联的混合模拟研究

应用二维三分量混合模拟方法数值研究了各向异性等离子体中的磁场重联过程.计算结果表明,当等离子体垂直于磁场方向的压强大于平行方向的压强时(P⊥/P∥=1.5),等离子体不稳定性的增长率会大大增强,重联速度也会加快;当等离子体垂直方向的压强小于平行方向的压强时(P⊥/P∥=0.6),会出现火蛇管不稳定性,将抑制撕裂模不稳定性和磁场重联过程.

ESW在磁尾磁场重联耗散区分形线附近的观测特性及其作用

磁场重联是空间能量释放和转换的重要机制.静电孤立波(ESW)虽然在空间中有广泛观测,但在磁场重联附近少有直接观测,对它在磁场重联附近的特性了解甚少.通过Geotail卫星对一个磁场重联事件的观测,仔细分析了其边界层上观测到的静电孤立波的特性,并讨论了它对磁场重联的影响.研究表明,亚暴期间在磁尾发生磁场重联,重联区域的分形线附近观测到了大量的静电孤立波,其特性与在其他地方观测到的并没有显著差别,但具有更明显的非线性和孤立性的特征.它们对电子加速和能量耗散有促进作用,加速磁场重联的进程.

Second-Order Resonant Interaction of Ring Current Protons with Whistler-Mode Waves

We present a study on the second-order resonant interaction between the ring current protons with Whistler-mode waves propagating near the quasi electrostatic limit following the previous second-order resonant theory. The diffusion coefficients are proportional to the electric field amplitude E, much greater than those for the regular first-order resonance, which are proportional to the electric field amplitudes square E^2. Numerical calculations for the pitch angle scattering are performed for typical energies of protons Ek = 50 keV and 100 keV at locations L = 2 and L = 3.5. The timescale for the loss process of protons by the Whistler waves is found to approach one hour, comparable to that by the EMIC waves, suggesting that Whistler waves may also contribute significantly to the ring current decay under appropriate conditions.

数据链支持下飞机敏感性评估方法研究

网络中心战以信息共享和信息传输为核心。当作战飞机通过数据链得到友方共享信息后,能够更好地进行战场态势感知,从而提高自身的生存力。在这样的背景下,将飞机置于数据链支持下的作战环境中,提出了一种考虑数据链影响的飞机敏感性评估方法。首先建立了LINK11数据链与LINK16数据链的模型,得到了网络时延这种表征数据链性能的指标,然后建立了飞机对来袭导弹实施的有源欺骗式干扰模型,最后通过一个算例来评估数据链对飞机敏感性的影响。算例分析表明:数据链的时延越小,飞行员对导弹进行干扰的时间越长,干扰也就越充分,因而LINK16数据链相比于LINK11数据链更能提高飞机的生存力。但无论哪种数据链,其所带来的信息共享的优势相比于没有数据链来说还是十分明显的。通过在现有的敏感性评估模型中加入数据链影响因素,可以定量分析信息共享所带来的优势,从而对飞机生存力设计提供一定的依据。

无碰撞磁场重联中的不同电子特征:不同质量比下的PIC模拟

采用二维三分量的全粒子模拟方法研究了不同离子电子质量比(mi/me)下的无碰撞磁场重联中的电子特征.研究结果显示:质量比(mi/me)几乎对重联率没有影响,但是对扩散区的电子行为却影响很大.随着质量比的增大,沿着分离线的电子出流区变窄,从而电子的出流速度增大.在较大的质量比事例中出现了平行于磁场的电场,这些电场对电子的加速和加热有着重要的影响.