Stochastic particle acceleration by a random electric field in coronal loops

Abstract

The hydromagnetic turbulence present in active loops, especially prior to flares, is simulated by a random electric field with a power law, in order to study numerically the stochastic acceleration of a Maxwellian distribution of particles. These particles are assumed to be trapped in the intense magnetic field of a loop. It is shown that a suprathermal tail is grown inthe initial velocity distribution and that the angular distribution of the particles becomes anisotropic.