The structure of the dissipation region for component reconnection: Particle simulations

Abstract

Results from a kinetic simulation of component reconnection are presented. Reconnection proceeds in a current sheet with 104 degrees magnetic field rotation. As a result, magnetic reconnection forms distinctively different signatures from what was found from kinetic models of anti-parallel reconnection. In particular, ion and electron flow patterns are substantially distorted, the shear magnetic field component does not exhibit a quadrupolar structure, and electron orbits in the diffusion region are substantially modified. The emphasis of the investigation is on the modifications to the diffusion region, with particular emphasis on the electron diffusion zone. Electron pressure nongyrotropies can support collisionless magnetic reconnection even when electron motion in diffusion region is strongly affected by the guide magnetic field.