Charged Particle Acceleration in Solar Eruptive Events

Understanding the mechanisms for the generation of the large number of non-thermal accelerated particles observed in solar flares is currently one of the most interesting unsolved problems in solar physics. The energy for powering solar eruptive events fundamentally comes from the coronal magnetic field and its release involves magnetic reconnection. A variety of particle acceleration mechanisms have been associated with the process of magnetic reconnection. While the parallel electric field generated during magnetic reconnection is an obvious potential mechanism for particle acceleration, there is some doubt whether it can account for the number of high-energy particles observed due to the very limited size of the non-ideal reconnection regions. Mechanisms linked to the reconnection outflow region have been studied for a couple of decades, so far with somewhat inconclusive results for acceleration on macroscopic scales, but have recently have gained more attention for operating on smaller scales.
In this PhD project various previously unstudied aspects of particle acceleration mechanisms in reconnection outflow regions will be explored. In particular, it is planned that the project will focus on the differences between 2D and 3D models. The project will mainly use test particle calculations as a tool. The project is mainly theoretical in nature, but where possible comparison with observations will be made.

The PhD student will take part in the Solar and Magnetospheric Theory Group's Guide Reading Programme which runs for 3 months at the start of her PhD. This programme includes some transferable skills training (coding in Fortran and using LaTeX etc). She will also be attending the group seminar and the applied mathematics seminar, both of which run weekly during term time. She will have the opportunity to take courses (delivered by video link) with the Scottish Mathematical Sciences Training Centre (SMSTC) or with the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA). The student will also have the opportunity to enrol in transferable skills course offered by the University of St Andrews via its CAPOD and GRADSkills units.