Electron stochastic acceleration in laboratory-produced kinetic turbulent plasmas

Dawei Yuan, Zhu Lei, Huigang Wei, Zhe Zhang, Jiayong Zhong, Yifei Li, Yongli Ping, Yihang Zhang, Yutong Li (), Feilu Wang, Guiyun Liang, Bin Qiao (), Changbo Fu, Huiya Liu, Panzheng Zhang, Jianqiang Zhu, Gang Zhao () and Jie Zhang ()
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Dawei Yuan: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhu Lei: Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics
Huigang Wei: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhe Zhang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jiayong Zhong: Institute of Frontiers in Astronomy and Astrophysics of Beijing Normal University
Yifei Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yongli Ping: Beijing Normal University
Yihang Zhang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yutong Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Feilu Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Guiyun Liang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Bin Qiao: Peking University
Changbo Fu: Fudan University
Huiya Liu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Panzheng Zhang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jianqiang Zhu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Gang Zhao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jie Zhang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract The origin of energetic charged particles in universe remains an unresolved issue. Astronomical observations combined with simulations have provided insights into particle acceleration mechanisms, including magnetic reconnection acceleration, shock acceleration, and stochastic acceleration. Recent experiments have also confirmed that electrons can be accelerated through processes such as magnetic reconnection and collisionless shock formation. However, laboratory identifying stochastic acceleration as a feasible mechanism is still a challenge, particularly in the creation of collision-free turbulent plasmas. Here, we present experimental results demonstrating kinetic turbulence with a typical spectrum k−2.9 originating from Weibel instability. Energetic electrons exhibiting a power-law distribution are clearly observed. Simulations further reveal that thermal electrons undergo stochastic acceleration through collisions with multiple magnetic islands-like structures within the turbulent region. This study sheds light on a critical transition period during supernova explosion, where kinetic turbulences originating from Weibel instability emerge prior to collisionless shock formation. Our results suggest that electrons undergo stochastic acceleration during this transition phase.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50085-7

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