Robertson, S. L., Eastwood, J. P., Stawarz, Julia, Hietala, H., Phan, T. D., Lavraud, B., Burch, J. L., Giles, B., Gershman, D. J., Torbert, R., Lindqvist, P.‐A., Ergun, R. E., Russell, C. T. and Strangeway, R. J. (2021) Electron Trapping in Magnetic Mirror Structures at the Edge of Magnetopause Flux Ropes. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 126 (4). e2021JA029182. ISSN 2169-9380
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JGR Space Physics - 2021 - Robertson - Electron Trapping in Magnetic Mirror Structures at the Edge of Magnetopause Flux.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (5MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Flux ropes are a proposed site for particle energization during magnetic reconnection, with several mechanisms proposed. Here, Magnetospheric Multiscale mission observations of magnetic mirror structures on the edge of two ion-scale magnetopause flux ropes are presented. Donut-shaped features in the electron pitch angle distributions provide evidence for electron trapping in the structures. Furthermore, both events show trapping with extended 3D structure along the body of the flux rope. Potential formation mechanisms, such as the magnetic mirror instability, are examined and the evolutionary states of the structures are compared. Pressure and force analysis suggest that such structures could provide an important electron acceleration mechanism for magnetopause flux ropes, and for magnetic reconnection more generally.
| Item Type: | Article |
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| Additional Information: | Funding information: S. L. Robertson was supported by a UKRI/STFC grant ST/S505432/1 and UKRI/NERC grant NE/L002515/1. J. P. Eastwood and J. E. Stawarz were supported by UKRI/STFC grant ST/S000364/1 and J. E. Stawarz is additionally supported by the Royal Society University Research Fellow-ship URFnR1n201286. |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | MMS, magnetopause, magnetic reconnection, flux rope, electron trapping |
| Subjects: | F300 Physics |
| Department: | Faculties > Engineering and Environment > Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering |
| Depositing User: | Rachel Branson |
| Date Deposited: | 07 Dec 2022 14:42 |
| Last Modified: | 07 Dec 2022 14:45 |
| URI: | https://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/50828 |
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