Analytical model of energy conversion in the two-fluid reconnection layer *

In a prototypical two-dimensional antiparallel reconnection geometry, a simple quantitative analysis of the energy inventory is developed for the ion diffusion layer. As electrons and ions move into the reconnection layer with different paths, the magnetized electrons penetrate deep into the reconnection layer generating a strong potential well in the diffusion region. The shape of the well expands towards the exit of exhaust region (1).  Magnetic field energy is converted to electric field potential energy through due to the motion of magnetized electrons in the background of non-magnetized ions. While the magnetic energy is transferred to the electrons in electron-diffusion layer, ions gain their energy through electrostatic acceleration across the potential well. We have developed an analytical model based on our generalized Harris equilibrium model (2). This analytical model concludes that ½ of magnetic energy is efficiently converted to ions in a prototypical two-fluid reconnection layer. Our analytical results are compared with the recent MRX data (1). 

(1) M. Yamada, J. Yoo, C. Myers, Phys. Plasmas 23, 055402 (2016).

(2) M. Yamada et al, Phys. Plasmas 7, 1781 (2000).