Transit time thermalization and the stochastic wave energization of ions in quasi-perpendicular shocks

Abstract

ABSTRACT It is shown that the ratio of the proton convective gyroradius rEp, to the width of the shock ramp D, controls the thermalization process of ions in quasi-perpendicular shocks. When rEp/D > 1, the solar wind beam energy is rapidly converted to gyration (thermal) energy by a universal, transit time thermalization (TTT) mechanism that does not require any collisions, waves, or instabilities. The TTT of ions on magnetic field gradients is followed by stochastic wave energization (SWE) on electric field gradients. Ions heated by TTT and SWE processes are subject to additional ballistic surfing acceleration caused by the convection field in the shock front. These three fundamental ion energization mechanisms are studied with test-particle simulations in a realistic shock model, and are shown to be consistent with magnetospheric multiscale measurements in the Earth’s bow shock. It is also shown that shock reflected ions are produced by the SWE process and not by the cross-shock potential. An explanation for downstream oscillations in quasi-perpendicular shocks is also provided.