Parallel Electron Heating through Landau Resonance with Lower Hybrid Waves at the Edge of Reconnection Ion Jets

Abstract

We investigate lower hybrid waves in magnetic reconnection at the flank magnetopause using Magnetospheric Multiscale data. Intense emissions of lower hybrid waves are observed at the density boundary of the reconnection ion jet. Associated with the lower hybrid waves, electrons exhibit signatures of heating in the direction parallel to the magnetic field. Near the Landau resonance energy, the electron fluxes parallel to the magnetic field show oscillations at the same frequency as the lower hybrid waves. The electron flux oscillations are in phase or antiphase with the wave parallel electric field. These observations provide direct evidence for Landau resonance. Our analysis indicates that the density gradient at the edge of the ion jets provides free energy for the lower hybrid waves that further contribute to electron heating through Landau damping. These results shed light on the role of wave−particle interactions in the energy conversion chain of reconnection ion jets.