Nonlinear Development of Streaming Instabilities In Strongly Magnetized Plasmas

TL;DR

This paper investigates the nonlinear evolution of streaming instabilities in strongly magnetized plasmas during magnetic reconnection, revealing two distinct phases involving electron trapping and turbulence driven by different instabilities.

Contribution

It combines theoretical analysis and 3-D particle-in-cell simulations to identify and characterize two phases of streaming instability development in reconnection layers.

Findings

Identification of two phases: Buneman instability and turbulence driven by electron-electron and lower hybrid instabilities.

Demonstration of electron trapping and momentum transfer mechanisms.

Insights into turbulence development in strongly magnetized plasma reconnection layers.

Abstract

The nonlinear development of streaming instabilities in the current layers formed during magnetic reconnection with a guide field is explored. Theory and 3-D particle-in-cell simulations reveal two distinct phases. First, the parallel Buneman instability grows and traps low velocity electrons. The remaining electrons then drive two forms of turbulence: the parallel electron-electron two-stream instability and the nearly-perpendicular lower hybrid instability. The high velocity electrons resonate with the turbulence and transfer momentum to the ions and low velocity electrons.