title: Production of energetic electrons during magnetic reconnection.
abstract: The production of energetic electrons during magnetic reconnection is explored with full particle simulations and analytic analysis. Density cavities generated along separatrices bounding growing magnetic islands support parallel electric fields that act as plasma accelerators. Electrons because of their low mass are fast enough to make multiple passes through these acceleration cavities and are therefore capable of reaching relativistic energies.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Drake
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Shay
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Thongthai
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swisdak