Model‐Data Comparison of Electron Energization Associated With Kinetic Alfvén Waves in the Near Earth Magnetotail

Abstract A model‐data comparison between Gyrofluid‐Kinetic Electron simulations and MMS satellite observations of kinetic Alfvén waves (KAW) and associated electron energization in the near Earth magnetotail is presented. The observations reveal 10 keV electron beams embedded within intense KAW field‐aligned currents. When constrained by observed plasma and wave parameters, simulations reproduce consistent electron signatures, establishing, for the first time, a direct link between KAWs and the production of these highly energized electrons. Most of the wave Poynting flux gets transferred to the electrons well in advance of the undriven KAW perturbation's arrival at the simulation low‐altitude boundary. Particle tracings reveal that the energized electrons are able to exit out of the simulation low‐altitude boundary and thus can significantly contribute to ionospheric electron precipitation that drive auroral emissions and ionospheric ion outflow.