Blocking effect of guide field on quick magnetic reconnection triggering

Tanaka Kentaro

Influence of guide field on quick magnetic reconnection triggering (QMRT) is investigated by
three-dimensional (3-D) full-particle simulations with the mass ratio of Mi/Me = 400. Spontaneous
electron current density enhancement around the current sheet center mediated by the lower-hybrid
wave activity at the edges leads to QMRT. Without guide-field, this current concentration occurs
within an electron meandering zone. QMRT is observed in the initial current sheet of an ion inertial
length. Meanwhile, with moderate guide-field, this current concentration has to occur within an
electron Larmor radius (based on the guide-field) from the current sheet center for QMRT, which
requires smaller initial current sheet thickness than the zero guide-field case.