Three-dimensional visualization of electron acceleration in a magnetized plasma

Abstract

We examine wave-particle interactions in a magnetized plasma. We present snapshots of an animation of the three-dimensional electron phase space distribution produced by an electrostatic wave propagating across a magnetic field. The distribution function has been evolved by a particle in cell simulation. The electron phase space has been visualized by distributing the simulation electrons over an array representing phase space density and by volume rendering this array. The results are, due to the choice of initial plasma and wave parameters, of relevance for electron acceleration at astrophysical shocks.