Electron seed-population modification by SIRs

Characterize whether stream interaction regions produce modifications to the electron seed population analogous to the documented modifications of suprathermal ion populations, including changes in their spatial and energy distributions that may affect subsequent CME-driven shock acceleration.

Background

The paper discusses how corotating interaction regions and merged interaction regions can substantially modify suprathermal ion populations, potentially creating localized seed populations for later acceleration by CME-driven shocks. In contrast, the authors note that the corresponding effect on electrons has not been established.

The study presents events in which flare-accelerated electrons may be injected into an SIR and subsequently re-accelerated by an SIR or CME-driven shock. However, these observations do not determine whether SIRs generically reshape the electron seed population in the same manner as they reshape ion populations, leaving the question unresolved.