Energy Partition of Thermal and Nonthermal Particles in Magnetic Reconnection

Magnetic reconnection has long been known to be the most important mechanism for quick conversion of magnetic field energy into plasma kinetic energy. In addition, energy dissipation by reconnection has gained attention not only as a plasma heating mechanism, but also as a plasma mechanism for accelerating nonthermal particles. However, the energy partitioning of thermal and nonthermal plasmas during magnetic reconnection is not understood. Here, we studied energy partition as a function of plasma sheet temperature and guide magnetic field. In relativistic reconnection with an antiparallel magnetic field or a weak guide magnetic field, it was found that the nonthermal energy density can occupy more than 90% of the total kinetic plasma energy density, but strengthening the guide magnetic field suppresses the efficiency of the nonthermal particle acceleration. In nonrelativistic reconnection for an antiparallel magnetic field, most dissipated magnetic field energy is converted into thermal plasma heating. For a weak guide magnetic field with a moderate value, however, the nonthermal particle acceleration efficiency was enhanced, but strengthening the guide field beyond the moderate value suppresses the efficiency.

Automated summary

In the process of magnetic reconnection, nonthermal plasma can dominate the total kinetic energy density with more than 90%. Strengthening the guide magnetic field can suppress the efficiency of nonthermal particle acceleration.