Electron Holes and Heating in the Reconnection Dissipation Region

TL;DR

This paper investigates electron holes and heating mechanisms in magnetic reconnection's dissipation region using particle-in-cell simulations and kinetic theory, highlighting turbulence driven by instabilities and their role in electron heating.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the coexistence of different electron holes and their impact on electron heating during 3D magnetic reconnection with a guide field.

Findings

Turbulence is dominated by Buneman and lower hybrid instabilities.

Electron holes co-exist with different propagation speeds.

Electron scattering by holes enhances heating in the dissipation region.

Abstract

Using particle-in-cell simulations and kinetic theory, we explore the current-driven turbulence and associated electron heating in the dissipation region during 3D magnetic reconnection with a guide field. At late time the turbulence is dominated by the Buneman and lower hybrid instabilities. Both produce electron holes that co-exist but have very different propagation speeds. The associated scattering of electrons by the holes enhances electron heating in the dissipation region.