Laboratory verification of electron-scale diffusion regions modulated by a three-dimensional instability

During magnetic reconnection, the electron fluid decouples from the magnetic field within narrow current layers, and theoretical models for the process can be distinguished in terms of their predicted current layer widths. In agreement with numerical and theoretical results, we present laboratory observations that confirm the presence of electron scale current layer widths. Although the layers are modulated by a current-driven instability, the narrow experimental current layers are consistent with a 3D simulation for which off-diagonal stress in the electron pressure tensor is responsible for fast reconnection.