Perpendicular electron acceleration by the lower-hybrid drift instability

Electrons are typically thought be magnetized in the lower-hybrid drift instability. Recent MMS observations of the LHDI within the electron layer of guide-field reconnection, however, indicate that . intense LHDI drives non-gyrotropic perpendicular electron heating. We perform 2- and 3-D kinetic simulations of the LHDI in a current layer. The evolution of the LHDI leads to the formation of electron distributions with core populations as well as accelerated crescent and ring populations. We discuss the dynamics of the different electron populations and their acceleration mechanisms and relate them to the observations.