Abstract
Our previous kinetic transport theoretical development for energetic particle acceleration by and large-scale transport through solar wind regions with numerous dynamic small-scale flux ropes in the strong guide/background field limit is further analyzed and extended. The basic flux-rope acceleration mechanisms and the issue of compressibility are further clarified by applying concepts such as magnetic curvature and shear flow to these structures. A set of new coupled focused-transport-MHD turbulence equations is presented for modeling coherent and stochastic energetic particle acceleration by small-scale flux ropes self-consistently. Furthermore, test particle coherent and stochastic acceleration rates are compared for the different flux-rope acceleration mechanisms, and stochastic acceleration and pitch-angle scattering rates for flux ropes and Alfvén waves are compared, for energetic protons at Earth.
Export citation and abstract BibTeX RIS
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.