C. M. Liu

Suprathermal electron acceleration in the near-Earth flow rebounce region

Flux pileup regions (FPRs) are traditionally referred to the strong-Bz bundles behind dipolarization fronts (DFs) in the Earths magnetotail and can appear both inside earthward and tailward bursty bulk flows. It has been widely reported that suprathermal electrons (40–200 keV) can be efficiently accelerated inside earthward FPRs, leaving the electron acceleration inside tailward FPRs as an open question. In this study, we focus on the electron acceleration inside a tailward FPR that is formed due to the flow rebounce in the near-Earth region (XGSM ≈ −12 RE) and compare it quantitatively with the acceleration inside an earthward FPR. By examining the Cluster data in 2008, we sequentially observe an earthward FPR and a tailward FPR in the near-Earth region, with the earthward one belonging to decaying type and the tailward one belonging to growing type. Inside the earthward FPR, Fermi acceleration and betatron cooling of suprathermal electrons are found, while inside the tailward FPR, Fermi and betatron acceleration occur. Whistler-mode waves are observed inside the tailward FPR; their generation process may still be at the early stage. We notice that the suprathermal electron fluxes inside the tailward FPR are about twice as large as those inside the earthward FPR, suggesting that the acceleration of suprathermal electrons is more efficient in the flow rebounce region. These acceleration processes have been successfully reproduced using an analytical model; they emphasize the role of flow rebounce in accelerating suprathermal electrons and further reveal how the MHD-scale flow modulates the kinetic-scale electron dynamics in the near-Earth magnetotail.

Explaining the rolling‐pin distribution of suprathermal electrons behind dipolarization fronts

The rolling-pin distribution of suprathermal electrons (40-200 keV), showing electron pitch angles primarily at 0°, 90°, and 180°, has recently been reported behind dipolarization fronts (DFs) both in observations and simulations. The formation of such type of distribution, however, has been unclear so far. In this study, we present an observation of such type of distribution by Cluster in the magnetotail behind a DF. We interpret the formation of such distribution using the global-scale Fermi acceleration together with local-scale betatron acceleration. We quantitatively reproduce these two processes and therefore the rolling-pin distribution of suprathermal electrons using an analytical model. We further reveal that only at energies higher than 26 keV can such distribution be formed. This study, quantitatively explaining the formation of rolling-pin distribution, can improve the understanding of electron dynamics behind DFs.

Rapid Pitch Angle Evolution of Suprathermal Electrons Behind Dipolarization Fronts

The pitch angle distribution (PAD) of suprathermal electrons can have both spatial and temporal evolution in the magnetotail and theoretically can be an indication of electron energization/cooling processes there. So far, the spatial evolution of PAD has been well studied, leaving the temporal evolution as an open question. To reveal the temporal evolution of electron PAD, spacecraft should monitor the same flux tube for a relatively long period, which is not easy in the dynamic magnetotail. In this study, we present such an observation by Cluster spacecraft in the magnetotail behind a dipolarization front (DF). We find that the PAD of suprathermal electrons can evolve from pancake type to butterfly type during <4 s and then to cigar type during <8 s. During this process, the flow velocity is nearly zero and the plasma entropy is constant, meaning that the evolution is temporal. We interpret such temporal evolution using the betatron cooling process, which is driven by quasi-adiabatic expansion of flux tubes, and the magnetic mirror effect, which possibly exists behind the DF as well.

Electron‐Scale Measurements of Dipolarization Front

Dipolarization front (DF)-a sharp boundary with scale of ion inertial length (c/omega(pi)) in the Earths magnetotail-can also have fine structures at electron scale (c/omega(pe)). Such electron-sc ...

Formation of dipolarization fronts after current sheet thinning

Dipolarization front (DF)—a sharp boundary separating hot tenuous plasmas from cold dense plasmas—is a key structure responsible for particle acceleration and energy transport in the magnetotail. How such a structure is formed has been unclear so far. Two possible mechanisms suggested in previous studies are magnetic reconnection and spontaneous formation. Both of them require current sheet thinning as a prerequisite. However, observational evidence of the DF formation associated with current sheet thinning has not been reported. In this study, we present such an observation, showing the DF formation after current sheet thinning. We estimate the half thickness of the current sheet to be ∼1000 km and the rate of current sheet thinning as ∼38 km/s. We find that the DF is likely formed at XGSM ≈ −20 RE. During the current sheet thinning, the plasma becomes cold and dense; during DF formation, many magnetic islands are produced. Although current sheet thinning and DF formation have been individually analyzed in the previous studies, this study, for the first time, links the two transient processes in the magnetotail.Dipolarization front (DF)—a sharp boundary separating hot tenuous plasmas from cold dense plasmas—is a key structure responsible for particle acceleration and energy transport in the magnetotail. How such a structure is formed has been unclear so far. Two possible mechanisms suggested in previous studies are magnetic reconnection and spontaneous formation. Both of them require current sheet thinning as a prerequisite. However, observational evidence of the DF formation associated with current sheet thinning has not been reported. In this study, we present such an observation, showing the DF formation after current sheet thinning. We estimate the half thickness of the current sheet to be ∼1000 km and the rate of current sheet thinning as ∼38 km/s. We find that the DF is likely formed at XGSM ≈ −20 RE. During the current sheet thinning, the plasma becomes cold and dense; during DF formation, many magnetic islands are produced. Although current sheet thinning and DF formation have been individually analyzed ...

Electron jet detected by MMS at dipolarization front: Electron jet detected by MMS at dipolarization front

Using MMS high-resolution measurements, we present the first observation of fast electron jet (V-e similar to 2,000 km/s) at a dipolarization front (DF) in the magnetotail plasma sheet. This jet, w ...