SM052-0003
Global MHD Simulations with Test Particles to Understand Particle Trapping and Heating in a Diamagnetic Cavity

Wednesday, 16 December 2020
Poster
Brandon L Burkholder, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, United States, Katariina Nykyri, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ, Daytona Beach, FL, United States, Xuanye Ma, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, United States, Viacheslav G Merkin, The Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, MD, United States, Kareem Sorathia, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United States and Adam T. Michael, Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, United States
Abstract:
Recent Magnetosphere Multiscale (MMS) observations show energetic (≥40 keV) electrons beyond the magnetopause (Cohen et al., 2017). The origin of these particles is not well understood but one possibility is that they were accelerated by a drift energization when trapped in a diamagnetic cavity. Diamagnetic cavities, as characterized by Cluster, Polar, and MMS, are identified as regions of high plasma beta and enhanced fluxes of high-energy electrons and ions. These cavities are often associated with reconnection near the cusp but recently MMS observed a diamagnetic cavity formed due to low latitude reconnection. To elucidate any possible connection between the high energy magnetosheath electrons and electrons energized in diamagnetic cavities, we conduct global simulations of the Earth's magnetosphere using the GAMERA-RCM framework. CHIMP test particles are introduced into the simulation to understand the origin, fate, and heating of electrons trapped in diamagnetic cavities. We quantify the trapping times, energy gain, and other statistics of electron test particles in global magnetosphere simulations of different resolution and solar wind driver. The initial location of the test particles will also be varied including solar wind and inside the cavity.
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