Physics of Plasmas -- April 2002 -- Volume 9, Issue 4, pp. 1095-1103

A drift kinetic approach to stationary collisionless magnetic reconnection in an open cusp plasma

J. Egedal
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139

A set of solutions to the drift kinetic equations is presented describing collisionless magnetic reconnection in a linear magnetic cusp. Effects not accounted for in fluid models cause strong anisotropic features in the velocity distribution function. A mechanism responsible for breaking the "frozen-in law" is identified. This mechanism has its origin in curvature and B drifts and is consistent with fast reconnection. ©2002 American Institute of Physics.