Three-dimensional network of filamentary currents and super-thermal electrons during magnetotail magnetic reconnection

Xinmin Li, Rongsheng Wang (), Quanming Lu (), Christopher T. Russell, San Lu, Ian J. Cohen, R. E. Ergun and Shui Wang
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Xinmin Li: University of Science and Technology of China
Rongsheng Wang: University of Science and Technology of China
Quanming Lu: University of Science and Technology of China
Christopher T. Russell: University of California
San Lu: University of Science and Technology of China
Ian J. Cohen: The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
R. E. Ergun: University of Colorado
Shui Wang: University of Science and Technology of China

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental plasma process by which magnetic field lines on two sides of the current sheet flow inward to yield an X-line topology. It is responsible for producing energetic electrons in explosive phenomena in space, astrophysical, and laboratorial plasmas. The X-line region is supposed to be the important place for generating energetic electrons. However, how these energetic electrons are generated in such a limited region is still poorly understood. Here, using Magnetospheric multiscale mission data acquired in Earth’s magnetotail, we present direct evidence of super-thermal electrons up to 300 keV inside an X-line region, and the electrons display a power-law spectrum with an index of about 8.0. Concurrently, three-dimensional network of dynamic filamentary currents in electron scale is observed and leads to electromagnetic turbulence therein. The observations indicate that the electrons are effectively accelerated while the X-line region evolves into turbulence with a complex filamentary current network.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31025-9

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