arXiv subjects

S. Yokota

Publications and source records attributed to S. Yokota.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

A New Mechanism for ULF Wave Modulation of Energetic Electron Precipitation

The May 2024 geomagnetic superstorm provided the opportunity to explore how strong wave-particle interactions affect energetic electron precipitation under intense driving. Using coordinated measurements from a balloon-borne Timepix-based X-ray detector, ground-based riometers and magnetometers, and Arase satellite observations, we identified quasi-periodic bursts of energetic electron precipitation coincident with Pc5 ultra low frequency (ULF) wave oscillations. Arase satellite data revealed energy-dispersed trapped energetic electron flux modulations in the 'seed' energy range, indicating that trapped electron flux was likely modulated by ULF waves. This letter reveals that these flux enhancements surpassed the Kennel-Petschek (K-P) limit, creating intense chorus waves and driving periodic electron precipitation. Drift-dispersion analysis traced these modulations back to a source in the post-noon magnetospheric sector, matching balloon and ground-based measurements. Here, we propose a novel indirect ULF wave-driven mechanism for modulated energetic electron precipitation, whereby periodic modulations of `seed' electron fluxes enhance electron losses.

physics.space-ph↗

arXiv2020

Observational Evidence for Stochastic Shock Drift Acceleration of Electrons at the Earth's Bow Shock

The first-order Fermi acceleration of electrons requires an injection of electrons into a mildly relativistic energy range. However, the mechanism of injection has remained a puzzle both in theory and observation. We present direct evidence for a novel stochastic shock drift acceleration theory for the injection obtained with Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) observations at Earth's bow shock. The theoretical model can explain electron acceleration to mildly relativistic energies at high-speed astrophysical shocks, which may provide a solution to the long-standing issue of electron injection.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2013

Spin blocker made of semiconductor double quantum well using the Rashba effect

We propose a lateral spin-blockade device that uses an InGaAs/InAlAs double quantum well (DQW), where the values of the Rashba spin-orbit parameter $α_{\rm R}$ are opposite in sign but equal in magnitude between the constituent quantum wells (QW). By tuning the channel length of DQW and the magnitude of the externally applied in-plane magnetic field, one can block the transmission of one spin (e.g., spin-down) component, leading to a spin-polarized current. Such a spin-blocking effect, brought about by wave vector matching of the spin-split Fermi surfaces between the two QWs, paves the way for a new scheme of spin-polarized electric current generation for future spintronics applications based on semiconductor band engineering.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗