Electron-only Reconnection in an Ion-scale Current Sheet at the Magnetopause

In the standard model of magnetic reconnection, both ions and electrons couple to the newly reconnected magnetic field lines and are ejected away from the reconnection diffusion region in the form of bidirectional burst ion/electron jets. Recent observations propose a new model: electron-only magnetic reconnection without ion coupling in an electron-scale current sheet. Based on the data from the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, we observe a long-extension inner electron diffusion region (EDR) at least 40 d (i) away from the X-line at the Earth's magnetopause, implying that the extension of EDR is much longer than the prediction of the theory and simulations. This inner EDR is embedded in an ion-scale current sheet (the width of similar to 4 d (i), d (i) is ion inertial length). However, such ongoing magnetic reconnection was not accompanied with burst ion outflow, implying the presence of electron-only reconnection in an ion-scale current sheet. Our observations present a new challenge for understanding the model of standard magnetic reconnection and the electron-only reconnection model in an electron-scale current sheet.

Automated summary

Observations suggest the presence of electron-only magnetic reconnection without ion coupling in a current sheet, challenging the standard model of magnetic reconnection. The inner electron diffusion region observed is much longer than predicted by theory, indicating a need for further understanding of electron-scale reconnection.