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Particle Acceleration by Magnetic Reconnection

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Cosmic Radiation in Contemporary Astrophysics

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASIC,volume 162))

Abstract

Dissipation of magnetic energy during field-line reconnection could lead to runaway acceleration of charged particles to high energies. The particle energy gain is directly proportional to the product of the strength of the pre-merging magnetic field and the plasma resistivity. Particle acceleration to relativistic energies is possible provided that plasma turbulence or some form of instability leads to a drastic reduction of the classical (Coulomb) conductivity.

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© 1986 D. Reidel Publishing Company

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Sorrell, W.H. (1986). Particle Acceleration by Magnetic Reconnection. In: Shapiro, M.M. (eds) Cosmic Radiation in Contemporary Astrophysics. NATO ASI Series, vol 162. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5488-5_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5488-5_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8922-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-5488-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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