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Field lines and magnetic surfaces in a two-component slab/2D model of interplanetary magnetic fluctuationsA two-component model for the spectrum of interplanetary magnetic fluctuations was proposed on the basis of ISEE observations, and has found an intriguing level of application in other solar wind studies. The model fluctuations consist of a fraction of 'slab' fluctuations, varying only in the direction parallel to the locally uniform mean magnetic field B(0) and a complement of 2D (two-dimensional) fluctuations that vary in the directions transverse to B(0). We have developed an spectral method computational algorithm for computing the magnetic flux surfaces (flux tubes) associated with the composite model, based upon a precise analogy with equations for ideal transport of a passive scalar in planar two dimensional geometry. Visualization of various composite models will be presented, including the 80 percent 2D/ 20 percent slab model with delta B/B(0) approximately equals 1 and a minus 5/3 spectral law, that is thought to approximately represent a snapshot of solar wind turbulence. Characteristically, the visualizations show that flux tubes, even when defined as regular on some plane, shred and disperse rapidly as they are viewed along the parallel direction. This diffusive process, which generalizes the standard picture of field line random walk, will be discussed in detail. Evidently, the traditional picture that flux tubes randomize like strands of spaghetti with a uniform tangle along the axial direction is in need of modification.
Document ID
19960021421
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Matthaeus, W. H.
(Delaware Univ. Newark, DE United States)
Pontius, D. H., Jr.
(Delaware Univ. Newark, DE United States)
Gray, P. C.
(Delaware Univ. Newark, DE United States)
Bieber, J. W.
(Delaware Univ. Newark, DE United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
June 30, 1995
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
96N24817
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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