PPPL-4835

Observation of Ion Acceleration and Heating during Collisionless Magnetic Reconnection in a Laboratory Plasma

Authors: Jongsoo Yoo, Masaaki Yamada, HantaoJi and Clayton E. Myers

Abstract:
The ion dynamics in a collisionless magnetic reconnection layer are studied in a laboratory plasma. The measured in-plane plasma potential profile, which is established by electrons accelerated around the electron diffusion region, shows a saddle-shaped structure that is wider and deeper towards the outflow direction. This potential structure ballistically accelerates ions near the separatrices toward the outflow direction. Ions are heated as they travel into the high pressure downstream region.
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Submitted to: Physical Review Letters (December 2012)

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