On the Generation of Opposite Currents in Current Sheets

Abstract

A consistent interpretation of phenomena at late stages of the evolution of current sheets has been given for the first time in terms of the generation of inductive electric fields at the motion of plasma flows in a magnetic field. It has been shown that inductive fields are inhomogeneous within the width of the sheet and maximal at its edges, where opposite currents appear. The time of appearance of opposite currents depends on the time of plasma acceleration and increases for the plasma with heavy ions. A decrease in the current density and the broadening of the current sheet far from the center are due to the generation of opposite currents, which are manifested here indirectly. In regions with opposite currents, Hall currents in the directions opposite to those at early stages of the evolution of the sheet have been detected for the first time.