Measurement of lower-hybrid drift turbulence in a reconnecting current sheet.
We present a detailed study of fluctuations in a laboratory current sheet undergoing magnetic reconnection. The measurements reveal the presence of lower-hybrid-frequency-range fluctuations on the edge of current sheets produced in the magnetic reconnection experiment (MRX). The measured fluctuation characteristics are consistent with theoretical predictions for the lower-hybrid drift instability (LHDI). Our observations suggest that the LHDI turbulence alone cannot explain the observed fast reconnection rate in MRX.
Carter
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Princeton University, Plasma Physics Laboratory, P.O. Box 451, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, USA.
Ji
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Trintchouk
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Yamada
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Kulsrud
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RM