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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Download PPPL-4835 (pdf 437 KB 4 pp)
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