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

Yoo, Jongsoo ; Yamada, Masaaki ; Ji, Hantao ; Myers, Clayton E.

关键词: Magnetic Reconnection;   

DOI  :  10.2172/1057020
RP-ID  :  PPPL-4835
PID  :  OSTI ID: 1057020

学科分类：原子、分子光学和等离子物理

美国|英语

来源: SciTech Connect

【 摘 要 】

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.