Numerical simulations of separatrix instabilities in collisionless magnetic reconnection

Electron scale dynamics of magnetic reconnection separatrix jets is studied in this paper. Instabilities developing in directions both parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field are investigated. Implicit particle-in-cell simulations with realistic electron-to-ion mass ratio are complemented b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics of plasmas 2012-04, Vol.19 (4), p.042110-042110-13
Main Authors: Divin, A., Lapenta, G., Markidis, S., Newman, D. L., Goldman, M. V.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Collisionless
Electron hole
Electrons
Force balances
High resolution
Initial conditions
Jet instability
Kelvin-Helmholtz modes
Magnetic fields
Magnetic reconnections
Magnetohydrodynamics
Mass ratio
Numerical procedures
Particle-in-cell simulations
Sailing vessels
Separatrix
Small scale
Tearing instability
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Summary:Electron scale dynamics of magnetic reconnection separatrix jets is studied in this paper. Instabilities developing in directions both parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field are investigated. Implicit particle-in-cell simulations with realistic electron-to-ion mass ratio are complemented by a set of small scale high resolution runs having the separatrix force balance as the initial condition. A special numerical procedure is developed to introduce the force balance into the small scale runs. Simulations show the development of streaming instabilities and consequent formation of electron holes in the parallel direction. A new electron jet instability develops in the perpendicular direction. The instability is closely related to the electron MHD Kelvin-Helmholtz mode and is destabilized by a flow, perpendicular to magnetic field at the separatrix. Tearing instability of the separatrix electron jet is modulated strongly by the electron MHD Kelvin-Helmholtz mode.
ISSN:1070-664X
1089-7674
1089-7674
DOI:10.1063/1.3698621