Energetic Electrons Associated with Magnetic Reconnection in the Magnetic Cloud Boundary Layer

TL;DR

This paper reports in situ observations of energetic electrons linked to magnetic reconnection in the solar wind, highlighting acceleration mechanisms and magnetic field effects that sustain electron energization.

Contribution

It provides new observational evidence of energetic electron acceleration during magnetic reconnection in the solar wind, emphasizing electric field and Fermi mechanisms.

Findings

Energetic electrons (~100-500 keV) are associated with magnetic reconnection.

Electric field acceleration and Fermi mechanisms are key in electron energization.

Magnetic field configuration traps electrons, enhancing energy gain.

Abstract

Here is reported in situ observation of energetic electrons (~100-500 keV) associated with magnetic reconnection in the solar wind by the ACE and Wind spacecraft. The properties of this magnetic cloud driving reconnection and the associated energetic electron acceleration problem are discussed. Further analyses indicate that the electric field acceleration and Fermi type mechanism are two fundamental elements in the electron acceleration processes and the trapping effect of the specific magnetic field configuration maintains the acceleration status that increases the totally gained energy.