Structure of the Electron Diffusion Region During Magnetic Reconnection
Abstract This article reviews recent developments in our understanding of the electron diffusion region (EDR) of magnetic reconnection, focusing on how the structure and dynamics of the EDR vary with the background plasma conditions. In particular, we highlight results from the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, a four-satellite NASA mission that measures plasma particles and electromagnetic fields in and around Earth’s magnetosphere. Theoretical and modeling-driven predictions regarding the structure of the EDR and the key processes that enable reconnection are compared and contrasted with observational studies using in-situ MMS measurements.
Authors
- J. L. Burch (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0452-8403)
- R. B. Torbert
- J. R. Shuster (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9425-2281)
- K. J. Genestreti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6890-2973)
- Li‐Jen Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4768-189X)
- S. V. Heuer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3778-5342)
- Rumi Nakamura (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2620-9211)
- C. Norgren (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6561-2337)
- Michael Hesse (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7518-0224)
- Y.-H. Liu
Institutions
- Dartmouth College (US)
- Ames Research Center (US)
- Southwest Research Institute (US)
- Goddard Space Flight Center (US)
- Swedish Institute of Space Physics (SE)
- Austrian Academy of Sciences (AT)
- University of New Hampshire (US)
- Space Research Institute (AT)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Space Science Reviews
- Published
- 2025-06-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-025-01188-0
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.31
Funders
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration