  Kinetic simulations of 3D collisionless magnetic reconnection with a guide
field show a dramatic enhancement of energetic electron production when
compared with 2D systems. In the 2D systems, electrons are trapped in magnetic
islands that limit their energy gain, whereas in the 3D systems the
filamentation of the current layer leads to a stochastic magnetic field that
enables the electrons to access volume-filling acceleration regions. The
dominant accelerator of the most energetic electrons is a Fermi-like mechanism
associated with reflection of charged particles from contracting field lines.

Plasma Physics