Relativistic multistage resonant and trailing-field acceleration induced by large-amplitude Alfvén waves in a strong magnetic field

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Autori principali: Isayama, S., Matsukiyo, S., Sano, T., Chen, S. H.
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Isayama, S.
Matsukiyo, S.
Sano, T.
Chen, S. H.
author_facet Isayama, S.
Matsukiyo, S.
Sano, T.
Chen, S. H.
contents We propose a particle acceleration mechanism driven by large-amplitude Alfvén waves in a strong magnetic field. The acceleration process proceeds through multiple stages triggered by counterpropagating wave-particle resonant acceleration (CWRA) via decay instability. Initially, parent and daughter Alfvén waves resonantly accelerate particles perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field. The resultant modulational instability generates electrostatic fields within the wave packet, which are locally amplified by the ponderomotive force of the Alfvén wave packet. These fields subsequently drive further acceleration within a few relativistic gyroperiods via gyroresonant surfing acceleration (GRSA). During this, the v*B force facilitates momentum transfer from the perpendicular to the parallel direction. In the later stage, particles become trapped by the parent wave and gain additional energy through single wave resonant acceleration (SWRA). Furthermore, the accumulation of accelerated particles induces electrostatic trailing fields behind and at the tail of the wave packet, which drive trailing-field acceleration (TFA) of other electrons. The combined effects of these mechanisms, CWRA followed by GRSA and SWRA, result in highly relativistic electron energy. The electron energy accelerated through the above process is higher than that accelerated through TFA. This multistage acceleration process provides insights into the generation of high energy cosmic rays in astrophysical environments.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2511_03069
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Relativistic multistage resonant and trailing-field acceleration induced by large-amplitude Alfvén waves in a strong magnetic field
Isayama, S.
Matsukiyo, S.
Sano, T.
Chen, S. H.
Plasma Physics
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
We propose a particle acceleration mechanism driven by large-amplitude Alfvén waves in a strong magnetic field. The acceleration process proceeds through multiple stages triggered by counterpropagating wave-particle resonant acceleration (CWRA) via decay instability. Initially, parent and daughter Alfvén waves resonantly accelerate particles perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field. The resultant modulational instability generates electrostatic fields within the wave packet, which are locally amplified by the ponderomotive force of the Alfvén wave packet. These fields subsequently drive further acceleration within a few relativistic gyroperiods via gyroresonant surfing acceleration (GRSA). During this, the v*B force facilitates momentum transfer from the perpendicular to the parallel direction. In the later stage, particles become trapped by the parent wave and gain additional energy through single wave resonant acceleration (SWRA). Furthermore, the accumulation of accelerated particles induces electrostatic trailing fields behind and at the tail of the wave packet, which drive trailing-field acceleration (TFA) of other electrons. The combined effects of these mechanisms, CWRA followed by GRSA and SWRA, result in highly relativistic electron energy. The electron energy accelerated through the above process is higher than that accelerated through TFA. This multistage acceleration process provides insights into the generation of high energy cosmic rays in astrophysical environments.
title Relativistic multistage resonant and trailing-field acceleration induced by large-amplitude Alfvén waves in a strong magnetic field
topic Plasma Physics
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.03069