Tearing driven reconnection: interplay between heating and kinetic instabilities (2D hybrid Möbius simulations)

The aim of the study is to investigate tearing-driven magnetic reconnection in the context of weakly collisional astrophysical plasmas. We present here results from two-dimensional hybrid simulations using modified periodic conditions with a topology akin to the Möbius strip. Our primary focus is the global energy conversion during the non-linear stage of the tearing instability. Conversion of electromagnetic to plasma bulk speed energy is evaluated by the j.E term, while conversion from bulk speed to thermal energy is evaluated by the pressure-strain term. Signatures of the firehose instability are also observed within the magnetic islands (or plasmoids), located between the different reconnection sites. The firehose instability, caused by the proton temperature being higher parallel than perpendicular to the local magnetic field, constrains the plasma temperature anisotropy. This then regulates the conversion of bulk speed to thermal energy as indicated by the temporal evolution of the pressure-strain.