Large-scale versus Small-scale Fields in the Shock Front: Effect on the Particle Motion

In situ measurements at heliospheric shocks show that inside the shock front large-scale electric and magnetic fields are accompanied with strong small-scale fields. Until recently, it was widely believed that particle dynamics is determined by the large-scale fields. During the last several years, claims have been made that the small-scale fields are of primary importance. Here we show that the large-scale fields govern the ion motion while both large- and small-scale fields are important for electrons.