Conversion of Magnetic Energy in the Magnetic Reconnection Layer of a Laboratory Plasma
Authors: Masaaki Yamada, Jongsoo Yoo, Jonathan Jara-Almonte, Hantao Ji, Russell M. Kulsrud, and Clayton E. Myers
Abstract: Magnetic reconnection, in which magnetic field lines break and reconnect to change their topology, occurs throughout the universe. The essential feature of reconnection is that it energizes plasma particles by converting magnetic energy. Despite the long history of reconnection research, how this energy conversion occurs remains a major unresolved problem in plasma physics. Here we report that the energy conversion in a laboratory reconnection layer occurs in a much larger region than previously considered. The mechanisms for energizing plasma particles in the reconnection layer are identified, and a quantitative inventory of the converted energy is presented for the first time in a well defined reconnection layer; 50% of the magnetic energy is converted to particle energy, 2/3 of which transferred to ions and 1/3 to electrons. Our results are compared with simulations and space measurements, for a key step toward resolving one of the most important problems in plasma physics.
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Published in: Nature Communications 5:4774
Doi: 10.1038/ncomms5774 (2014)
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