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The polarization electric field and its effects in an anisotropic rotating magnetospheric plasmaSpatial variations of density and temperature along a magnetic field line are evaluated for a plasma undergoing adiabatic motion in a rotating magnetosphere. The effects of centrifugal and gravitational forces are accounted for, as is anisotropy in the pitch angle distribution functions of individual species. A polarization electric field is invoked to eliminate the net electric charge density resulting from the aforementioned mass dependent forces and different anisotropies. The position of maximum density in a two-component, electron-ion plasma is determined both in the absence and in the presence of the polarization effect and compared. A scale height, generalized to include anisotropies, is derived for the density fall-off. The polarization electric field is also included in the parallel guiding center equation; equilibrium points are determined and compared in both individual and average senses with the position of density maximum. Finally a transverse (to magnetic field lines) electric component is deduced as a consequence of dissimilar charge neutralization on adjacent field lines. The E x B velocity resultant from such a 'fringing' electric field is calculated and compared with the magnitude of other drifts.
Document ID
19920041913
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Huang, T. S.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Birmingham, T. J.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 97
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
92A24537
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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