Abstract
Generation and propagation of lower hybrid drift wave (LHDW) within and
near the electron diffusion region (EDR) during guide field reconnection
at the magnetopause is studied with data from the Magnetospheric
Multiscale mission and a theoretical model. Inside the EDR where the
electron beta is high (β ~ 5), the long-wavelength
electromagnetic LHDW propagating obliquely to the local magnetic field
is observed. In contrast, the short-wavelength electrostatic LHDW
propagating nearly perpendicular to the local magnetic field is observed
slightly away from the EDR, where β is small (~0.6).
These observed LHDW features are explained by a local theoretical model
only after including effects from the electron temperature anisotropy,
finite electron heat flux and parallel current. The short-wavelength
LHDW is capable of generating significant drag force between electrons
and ions.