Fast Ion Isotropization by Current Sheet Scattering in Magnetic Reconnection Jets

TL;DR

This study analyzes ion distributions in magnetic reconnection jets, showing that phase-space diffusion in current sheets rapidly isotropizes ions, which is key to understanding plasma behavior during reconnection events.

Contribution

It provides the first statistical evidence that current sheet scattering causes fast ion isotropization in reconnection jets, highlighting a primary mechanism in plasma dynamics.

Findings

Ion distributions are often anisotropic and non-Maxwellian in jets.

Magnetic fluctuations are insufficient to scatter ions during jet travel.

Chaotic ion motion leads to rapid phase-space diffusion and isotropization.

Abstract

We present a statistical analysis of ion distributions in magnetic reconnection jets using data from the Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft. Compared with the quiet plasma in which the jet propagates, we often find anisotropic and non-Maxwellian ion distributions in the plasma jets. We observe magnetic field fluctuations associated with unstable ion distributions, but the wave amplitudes are not large enough to scatter ions during the observed travel time of the jet. We estimate that the phase-space diffusion due to chaotic and quasi-adiabatic ion motion in the current sheet is sufficiently fast to be the primary process leading to isotropization.