Formation of Hard Power Laws in the Energetic Particle Spectra Resulting from Relativistic Magnetic Reconnection

Fan Guo, Hui Li, William Daughton, and Yi-Hsin Liu
Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 155005 – Published 8 October 2014

Abstract

Using fully kinetic simulations, we demonstrate that magnetic reconnection in relativistic plasmas is highly efficient at accelerating particles through a first-order Fermi process resulting from the curvature drift of particles in the direction of the electric field induced by the relativistic flows. This mechanism gives rise to the formation of hard power-law spectra in parameter regimes where the energy density in the reconnecting field exceeds the rest mass energy density σB2/(4πnmec2)>1 and when the system size is sufficiently large. In the limit σ1, the spectral index approaches p=1 and most of the available energy is converted into nonthermal particles. A simple analytic model is proposed which explains these key features and predicts a general condition under which hard power-law spectra will be generated from magnetic reconnection.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 15 May 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.155005

© 2014 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Fan Guo, Hui Li, William Daughton, and Yi-Hsin Liu

  • Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 113, Iss. 15 — 10 October 2014

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×