Efficient Electron Acceleration Driven by Flux Rope Evolution during Turbulent Reconnection

Abstract

Magnetic flux ropes or magnetic islands are important structures responsible for electron acceleration and energy conversion during turbulent reconnection. However, the evolution of flux ropes and the corresponding electron acceleration process still remain open questions. In this paper, we present a comparative study of flux ropes observed by the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission in the outflow region during an example of turbulent reconnection in Earth's magnetotail. Interestingly, we find the farther the flux rope is away from the X-line, the bigger the size of the flux rope and the slower it moves. We estimate the power density converted at the observed flux ropes via the three fundamental electron acceleration mechanisms: Fermi, betatron, and parallel electric field. The dominant acceleration mechanism at all three flux ropes is the betatron mechanism. The flux rope that is closest to the X-line, having the smallest size and the fastest moving velocity, is the most efficient in accelerating electrons. Significant energy also returns from particles to fields around the flux ropes, which may facilitate the turbulence in the reconnection outflow region.