Work

Collisionless tearing instability in a relativistic pair plasma with a power-law distribution function

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: We study the tearing instability of a current sheet in a relativistic pair plasma with a power-law distribution function. We first estimate the growth rate analytically and then confirm the analytical results by solving numerically the dispersion equation, taking into account all exact particle trajectories within the reconnecting layer. We found that the instability is suppressed when the particle spectrum becomes harder.

Source: Journal of Plasma Physics

DOI: 10.1017/s0022377824000904

Authors: I. Demidov, Y. Lyubarsky

Institution: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Language: English

Topic: Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,450

Funder: Israel Science Foundation