Super-efficient Electron Acceleration by an Isolated Magnetic Reconnection

• Magnetic reconnection-the process typically lasting for a few seconds in space-is able to accelerate electrons. However, the efficiency of the acceleration during such a short period is still a puzzle. Previous analyses, based on spacecraft measurements in the Earth's magnetotail, indicate that magnetic reconnection can enhance electron fluxes up to 100 times. This efficiency is very low, creating an impression that magnetic reconnection is not good at particle acceleration. By analyzing Cluster data, we report here a remarkable magnetic reconnection event during which electron fluxes are enhanced by 10,000 times. Such acceleration, 100 times more efficient than those in previous studies, is caused by the betatron mechanism. Both reconnection fronts and magnetic islands contribute to the acceleration, with the former being more prominent.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Astronomi, astrofysik och kosmologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

acceleration of particles

magnetic reconnection

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)