How neutral is quasi-neutral: Charge Density in the Reconnection
Diffusion Region Observed by MMS
Abstract
Magnetic reconnection is responsible for the major reconfigurations of
the magnetosphere that lead to energy transport and deposition into the
ionosphere. The fast rate at which magnetic energy is converted to
plasma kinetic energy is likely enabled by the polarization Hall
electric field that results from the separation of ions and electrons at
small scales. Signatures of Hall fields have played a key role in
identifying and studying reconnection, but the density of accumulated
charge has not been quantified. We use the 4-point measurements of the
Magnetospheric Multiscale mission to compute the divergence of the
electric field and present the first observations of charge density in
the diffusion region of magnetic reconnection. We show how it ties into
the Hall system, discuss measurement uncertainties, analyze quality
estimates, and make comparisons to 2D simulations. Charge density is
briefly presented for other phenomena, and ranges from 2% or less of
the background plasma density for magnetic reconnection and
electron-scale magnetic holes and peaks to upwards of 4% for electron
phase space holes.