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Interaction of field-aligned cold plasma flows with an equatorially-trapped hot plasma - Electrostatic shock formationEffects of equatorially trapped hot plasma on the highly supersonic cold-plasma flow occurring during early stage plasmaspheric refilling are studied by means of numerical simulations. It is shown that the equatorially trapped hot ions set up a potential barrier for the cold ion beams and facilitate formation of electrostatic shocks by reflecting them from the equatorial region. Simulations with and without the hot plasma show different flow properties; the formation of electrostatic shocks occur only in the former case. The simulation with the hot plasma also reveals that the magnetic trapping in conjunction with the evolution of the electrostatic potential barrier produces ion velocity distribution functions consisting of a cold core and a hot ring in the perpendicular velocity. Such a distribution function provides a source of free energy for equatorial waves. The corresponding electron population is warm and field-aligned.
Document ID
19930054087
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Singh, Nagendra
(Alabama Univ. Huntsville, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
May 7, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 20
Issue: 9
ISSN: 0094-8276
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
93A38084
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-2128
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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