The Acceleration of Charged Particles and Formation of Power-law Energy Spectra in Nonrelativistic Magnetic Reconnection

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent progress in understanding how particles are accelerated during nonrelativistic magnetic reconnection, leading to power-law energy spectra relevant to space and solar plasmas.

Contribution

It summarizes recent advances in particle acceleration mechanisms, transport processes, and the formation of power-law spectra in nonrelativistic reconnection.

Findings

Particle acceleration mechanisms are crucial in shaping energy spectra.

3D reconnection physics significantly influences particle transport.

Power-law energy spectra are commonly formed in reconnection regions.

Abstract

Magnetic reconnection is a primary driver of particle acceleration processes in space and astrophysical plasmas. Understanding how particles are accelerated and the resulting particle energy spectra is among the central topics in reconnection studies. We review recent advances in addressing this problem in nonrelativistic reconnection that is relevant to space and solar plasmas and beyond. We focus on particle acceleration mechanisms, particle transport due to 3D reconnection physics, and their roles in forming power-law particle energy spectra. We conclude by pointing out the challenges in studying particle acceleration and transport in a large-scale reconnection layer and the relevant issues to be addressed in the future.