Magnetic Moment-Field Interactions, A Universal Mechanism for Particle Energization

Abstract

Magnetic reconnection is a pivotal mechanisms in the energization and heating of cosmic plasmas, yet the exact process of energy transfer during these events remain elusive. Traditional models, which focus on acoustic and magnetohydrodynamic waves and micro/nano-flares, fall short of explaining the extreme heating of the solar corona and the origins of the supersonic solar wind. In this study, we provide compelling observational evidence from Wind spacecraft data supporting the Raghav effect, a mechanism where interactions between the magnetic moments of charged particles and dynamic magnetic fields result in abrupt kinetic energy changes. Our analysis demonstrates that the observed proton plasma heating is consistent with theoretical predictions, establishing the Raghav effect as a universal mechanism for particle energization. This discovery offers a unified framework for understanding energy dynamics across a wide range of astrophysical magnetised plasma environments.