Dartmouth Events

Space and Plasma Seminar - Dion Li, MIT

Title: Role of ion acoustic instability in magnetic reconnection

3/3/2026
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Wilder 202 and Zoom
Intended Audience(s): Public
Categories: Lectures & Seminars, School of Arts and Sciences

Abstract: We report on a first-principles numerical study of magnetic reconnection in plasmas with different initial ion-to-electron temperature ratios. In cases where this ratio is significantly below unity, we observe intense wave activity in the diffusion region, driven by the ion-acoustic instability. Our analysis shows that the dominant macroscopic effect of this instability is to drive substantial ion heating. In contrast to earlier studies reporting significant anomalous resistivity, we find that anomalous contributions due to the ion-acoustic instability are minimal. These results shed light on the dynamical impact of this instability on reconnection processes, offering new insights into the fundamental physics governing collisionless reconnection. 

Hosted By Assistant Professor Muni Zhou 

Zoom Link: https://dartmouth.zoom.us/s/99960465228

Please contact samantha.j.marcotte@dartmouth.edu for passcode and Meeting ID 

For more information, contact:
Samantha Marcotte
samantha.j.marcotte@dartmouth.edu
Permanent URL to this event: https://physics.dartmouth.edu/events/event?event=80715

Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.