Publications (12)
The Physical Foundation of the Reconnection Electric Field
M. Hesse, Y. -H. Liu, L. -J. Chen +8
We report on computer simulations and analytic theory to provide a self-consistent understanding of the role of the reconnection electric field, which extends substantially beyond…
On the collisionless asymmetric magnetic reconnection rate
Yi-Hsin Liu, M. Hesse, P. A. Cassak +3
A prediction of the steady-state reconnection electric field in asymmetric reconnection is obtained by maximizing the reconnection rate as a function of the opening angle made by t…
The role of the Weibel instability at the reconnection jet front in relativistic pair plasma reconnection
S. Zenitani, M. Hesse
The role of the Weibel instability is investigated for the first time in the context of the large-scale magnetic reconnection problem. A late-time evolution of magnetic reconnectio…
On the Role of Separatrix Instabilities in Heating the Reconnection Outflow Region
M. Hesse, C. Norgren, P. Tenfjord +10
A study of the role of microinstabilities at the reconnection separatrix can play in heating the electrons during the transition from inflow to outflow is being presented. We find…
Major Scientific Challenges and Opportunities in Understanding Magnetic Reconnection and Related Explosive Phenomena in Solar and Heliospheric Plasmas
H. Ji, J. Karpen, A. Alt +105
Magnetic reconnection underlies many explosive phenomena in the heliosphere and in laboratory plasmas. The new research capabilities in theory/simulations, observations, and labora…
Major Scientific Challenges and Opportunities in Understanding Magnetic Reconnection and Related Explosive Phenomena throughout the Universe
H. Ji, A. Alt, S. Antiochos +97
This white paper summarizes major scientific challenges and opportunities in understanding magnetic reconnection and related explosive phenomena as a fundamental plasma process.
Electron-Scale Dynamics of the Diffusion Region during Symmetric Magnetic Reconnection in Space
R. B. Torbert, J. L. Burch, T. D. Phan +46
Magnetic reconnection is an energy conversion process important in many astrophysical contexts including the Earth's magnetosphere, where the process can be investigated in-situ. H…
Self-regulation of the reconnecting current layer in relativistic pair plasma reconnection
S. Zenitani, M. Hesse
We investigate properties of the reconnecting current layer in relativistic pair plasma reconnection. We found that the current layer self-regulates its thickness when the current…
Electron acceleration and thermalization at magnetotail separatrices
C. Norgren, M. Hesse, P. Tenfjord +8
In this study we use the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission to investigate the electron acceleration and thermalization occurring along the magnetic reconnection separatrices…
Localized Oscillatory Dissipation in Magnetopause Reconnection
J. L. Burch, R. E. Ergun, P. A. Cassak +26
Data from the NASA Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission are used to investigate asymmetric magnetic reconnection at the dayside boundary between the Earth's magnetosphere and th…
How the IMF Induces a Local Component During Northward IMF and Characteristic Timescales
P. Tenfjord, N. Ãstgaard, S. Haaland +7
We use the Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry global magnetohydrodynamics model to study the effects of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) component on the coupling between…
Why does steady-state magnetic reconnection have a maximum local rate of order 0.1?
Yi-Hsin Liu, M. Hesse, F. Guo +4
Simulations suggest collisionless steady-state magnetic reconnection of Harris-type current sheets proceeds with a rate of order 0.1, independent of dissipation mechanism. We argue…