Electron‐Only Magnetic Reconnection: Lessons Learned From Magnetic Island Coalescence

Electron-only magnetic reconnection, in which ions do not couple, has recently been observed turbulent magnetosheath and magnetotail, association with flux rope coalescence. This study reproduces the electron-only reconnection during island coalescence via 2.5-D particle-in-cell simulations. We find that degree of ion coupling is sensitive to spatial scale merging current sheet but determined by persistent time coalescence, suggests early stage During are affected electric field though bulk outflow absent. It revealed pre-existing inflows Hall Ez from adjacent main impede formation provides in-depth knowledge through perspective kinetics.