Energy Conversion and Partition in the Asymmetric Reconnection Diffusion Region

Abstract

AbstractWe investigate the energy conversion and partition in the asymmetric reconnection diffusion region using two‐dimensional particle‐in‐cell simulations and Magnetosphere Multiscale (MMS) mission observations. Under an upstream condition with equal temperatures in the two inflow regions, the simulation analysis indicates that the energy partition between ions and electrons depends on the distance from the X‐line. Within the central electron diffusion region (EDR), nearly all dissipated electromagnetic field energies are converted to electrons. From the EDR to the ion diffusion region (IDR) scales, the rate of the electron energy gain decreases to be lower than that of ions. A magnetopause reconnection event inside the IDR observed by MMS shows comparable ion and electron energy gains, consistent with the simulation result in the transition region from EDR to IDR. At the EDR scale, the electron energization is mainly by the reconnection electric field (Er); in‐plane electric fields (Exz) provide additional positive contributions near the X‐line and do negative work on electrons beyond the EDR. The guide field reduces the electron energization by both Er and Exz in the EDR. For ion energization, Er and Exz have comparable contributions near the time of the peak reconnection rate, while Exz dominants at later time. At the IDR scale, the guide field causes asymmetry in the amount of the energy gain and energization mechanisms between two exhausts but does not have significant effects on energy partition. Our study advances understanding of ion and electron energization in asymmetric reconnect IDRs.