Two-fluid theory of collisionless magnetic reconnection

DOI PDF 5 Citations
  • D. Biskamp
    Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik, 85748 Garching, Germany
  • E. Schwarz
    Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik, 85748 Garching, Germany
  • J. F. Drake
    Institute for Plasma Research, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742

Abstract

<jats:p>Theoretical studies of collisionless reconnection in the framework of two-fluid theory are presented. In the high-β case (β≳1) reconnection is controlled by the whistler mode, leading to decoupling of ions from electrons on scales &lt;c/ωpi. Though reconnection requires electron inertia, the reconnection rate is independent thereof, controlled only by ion inertia. Reconnection is hence much faster than in the absence of the Hall term. In the opposite limit of small β the strong axial field suppresses the whistler mode. Hence ions have to follow the electrons in the narrow reconnection layer δ∼c/ωpe, forming a macroscopic current sheet which strongly reduces the reconnection rate. Theoretical scaling laws are confirmed by numerical simulations.</jats:p>

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