Radiative kinetic simulations of steady-state relativistic plasmoid magnetic reconnection

Understand

We present the results of 2D particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations of relativistic magnetic reconnection (RMR) in electron-positron plasma, including the dynamical influence of the synchrotron radiation process, and integrating the observable emission signatures.

• The simulations are initiated with a single Harris current layer with a central gap that triggers the RMR process.
• We achieve a steady-state reconnection with unrestricted outflows by means of open boundary conditions.
• The radiative cooling efficiency is regulated by the choice of initial plasma temperature Theta.