Electron trapping in magnetic mirror structures at the edge of magnetopause flux ropes
File(s)2021JA029182.pdf (5.43 MB)
Published version
OA Location
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
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.
Date Issued
2021-04
Date Acceptance
2021-03-26
Citation
Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 2021, 126 (4), pp.1-17
ISSN
2169-9380
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Start Page
1
End Page
17
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Volume
126
Issue
4
Copyright Statement
© 2021. The Authors.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Sponsor
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Identifier
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2021JA029182
Grant Number
ST/S000364/1
Subjects
0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences
0401 Atmospheric Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2021-04-05