Physics – Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009agufmsh33a1481s&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009, abstract #SH33A-1481
Physics
Plasma Physics
[7526] Solar Physics, Astrophysics, And Astronomy / Magnetic Reconnection, [7807] Space Plasma Physics / Charged Particle Motion And Acceleration, [7829] Space Plasma Physics / Kinetic Waves And Instabilities, [7835] Space Plasma Physics / Magnetic Reconnection
Scientific paper
Magnetic reconnection has been found to be associated with energetic ions and electrons. Gamma ray emission from the solar photosphere, and energetic particles found by Wind in the magnetosphere confirm this association. One explanation for the acceleration of these particles is by 1st order Fermi acceleration of particles bouncing in contracting magnetic islands. Using a particle-in-cell code, we investigate the effects of β on the acceleration by simulating island growth in multiple interacting Harris current sheets. Many islands are generated, and these contracting islands heat up particles in the direction of the magnetic fields, causing a temperature anisotropy with T_parallel > T_perp. When the anisotropy reaches the marginal firehose condition, the anisotropy is constrained and this mechanism seems to halt. Other processes lead to the growth of temperature anisotropies with T_parallel < T_perp. These anisotropies are constrained by the marginal mirror mode condition. Larger initial values of β cause the firehose condition to be reached more quickly, causing fewer particles to be accelerated to high energies. These effects may play a role in particle acceleration mechanisms at the heliopause.
Drake James F.
Schoeffler K. M.
Swisdak Michael
No associations
LandOfFree
Effects of Plasma Beta on Multiple Island Ion Acceleration does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Effects of Plasma Beta on Multiple Island Ion Acceleration, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Effects of Plasma Beta on Multiple Island Ion Acceleration will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1784134