Width dependent collisionless electron dynamics in the static fields of the shock ramp, 1, Single particle behavior and implications for downstream distribution

Abstract. We study the collisionless dynamics of electrons in the shock ramp using the numerical trajectory analysis in the model electric and magnetic fields of the shock. Even with very modest assumptions about the cross-shock potential the electron trajectories are very sensitive to the width of the ramp. The character of electron motion changes from the fully adiabatic (with conservation of v²<perp>  /B) when the ramp is wide, to the nonadiabatic one, when the ramp becomes sufficiently narrow. The downstream electron distribution also changes drastically, although this change depends on the initial electron temperature.