Topside reconnection

It is proposed that reconnection would be a main mechanism governing the plasma processes on auroral time scales in the topside ionosphere/high-latitude magnetosphere transition. It occurs in the downward current region between two narrow parallel closely spaced though separated downward current sheets. The field-aligned currents are carried by upward cold upper-ionospheric electrons closing the upward current in an adjacent region. This local process does primarily not affect the ambient field but generates an anomalous diffusivity.

@article{id2611,
  author = {Treumann, R. A. and Baumjohann, W.},
  doi = {10.3389/fphys.2020.586082},
  journal = {Frontiers in Physics},
  language = {en},
  pages = {586082},
  title = {Topside reconnection},
  volume = {8},
  year = {2020},
}

%O Journal Article
%A Treumann, R. A.
%A Baumjohann, W.
%R 10.3389/fphys.2020.586082
%J Frontiers in Physics
%G en
%P 586082
%T Topside reconnection
%V 8
%D 2020