Fast Ion Isotropization by Current Sheet Scattering in Magnetic Reconnection Jets

Abstract

We present a statistical analysis of ion distributions in magnetic reconnection jets using data from the Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft. Compared with the quiet plasma in which the jet propagates, we often find anisotropic and non-Maxwellian ion distributions in the plasma jets. We observe magnetic field fluctuations associated with unstable ion distributions, but the wave amplitudes are not large enough to scatter ions during the observed lifetime of the jet. We estimate that the phase-space diffusion due to chaotic and quasi-adiabatic ion motion in the current sheet is sufficiently fast to be the primary process leading to isotropization.