The role of upper hybrid waves in magnetic reconnection

Abstract

Wind observations of upper hybrid (UH) waves adjacent to a magnetic X-line are compared with simultaneous Wind electron observations to clarify wave-electron interactions. Electron beams and "football" (T∥ > T⊥) distributions accompany the UH waves. The energy density of the inward-directed beams, at 10-14 J/m3, is sufficient to supply the free energy for the waves. The electron beams may be part of the larger Hall current system, and the UH wave/electron instability represent a Hall current dissipation process (i.e., an effective resistance) which removes energy as the currents travels along the separatrix. Copyright 2003 by the American Geophysical Union.