  This work presents a magnetic reconnection experiment in which the kinetic,
magnetic and thermal properties of the plasma each play an important role in
the overall energy balance and structure of the generated reconnection layer.
Magnetic reconnection occurs during the interaction of continuous and steady
flows of super-Alfvenic, magnetized, aluminum plasma, which collide in a
geometry with two-dimensional symmetry, producing a stable and long-lasting
reconnection layer. Optical Thomson scattering measurements show that when the
layer forms, ions inside the layer are more strongly heated than electrons,
reaching temperatures of Ti~ZTe>300 eV - much greater than can be expected from
strong shock and viscous heating alone. Later in time, as the plasma density in
the layer increases, the electron and ion temperatures are found to
equilibrate, and a constant plasma temperature is achieved through a balance of
the heating mechanisms and radiative losses of the plasma. Measurements from
Faraday rotation polarimetry also indicate the presence of significant magnetic
field pile-up occurring at the boundary of the reconnection region, which is
consistent with the super-Alfvenic velocity of the inflows.
