Ion-scale Current Structures in Short Large-amplitude Magnetic Structures

Wang, Shan; Chen, Li-Jen; Bessho, Naoki; Hesse, Michael; Wilson, III, Lynn B.; Denton, Richard; Ng, Jonathan; Giles, Barbara; Torbert, Roy; Burch, James

doi:10.3847/1538-4357/ab9b8b

DOE OSTI · 1775024

Ion-scale Current Structures in Short Large-amplitude Magnetic Structures

Wang, Shan·Chen, Li-Jen·Bessho, Naoki·Hesse, Michael·Wilson, III, Lynn B.·Denton, Richard·Ng, Jonathan·Giles, Barbara·Torbert, Roy·Burch, James

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Abstract

Magnetic reconnection is an explosive phenomenon widely happen in plasma environments. Recent studies show that reconnection could occur in the shock transition region. We study thin current layers in the region in front of the shock and find evidence of reconnection. The analysis also shows the possible generation mechanism of the thin current sheet that further enables reconnection. A large-scale wave is further generated, and the thin current sheets are generated through compression or secondary waves. The thin current structures also lead to electron heating.

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Wang, Shan, Chen, Li-Jen, Bessho, Naoki, Hesse, Michael, Wilson, III, Lynn B., Denton, Richard, Ng, Jonathan, Giles, Barbara, Torbert, Roy, Burch, James. 2020-07-30. Ion-scale Current Structures in Short Large-amplitude Magnetic Structures. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357%2Fab9b8b

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