Electron energization in 3D shock-driven reconnection*

In the turbulent environment at the quasi-parallel shock, observations and simulations show that intense current sheets are generated, leading to a favourable environment for reconnection. Simulation studies further demonstrate unusually large electric fields and outflow jets in a subset of the reconnecting sites. Using kinetic simulations, we study electron energization in reconnecting structures in the shock transition region, including intrinsically 3d structures such as null points and separators. The results will be compared to the equivalent 2D simulations, as well as observations from NASA's MMS mission.