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Fast Fermi acceleration in the plasma sheet boundary layerA longstanding question in the field of magnetospheric physics is the source of the energetic particles which are commonly observed along the plasma-sheet boundary layer (PSBL). Several models have been suggested for the acceleration of these particles. Here, a means is suggested by which the fast Fermi acceleration mechanism (Wu, 1984) can accelerate electrons at the plasma sheet and perhaps account for some of the observations. In this scheme, a localized hydromagnetic disturbance propagating through the tail lobe region impinges upon the PSBL, deforming it and displacing it in toward the central plasma sheet. The boundary layer can then act like a moving magnetic mirror. If the disturbance is propagating nearly perpendicular to the layer, then its velocity projected parallel to the layer (and the magnetic field) can be very large, resulting in significant acceleration of reflected particles.
Document ID
19900036078
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Wu, C. S.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Mandt, M. E.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Krauss-Varban, D.
(Maryland, University College Park, United States)
Lui, A. T. Y.
(Johns Hopkins University Laurel, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 16
ISSN: 0094-8276
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
90A23133
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-971
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-86-11354
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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