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Effects of low frequency waves and spiky electric fields in the magnetotailIntense low frequency waves and large amplitude spiky electric fields are commonly observed in the active magnetotail. These fields are of dynamic significance for substorms because the amplitude of the waves is large enough to provide the dissipation necessary for reconnection. The waves modify the trajectories of ions in the magnetotail, resulting in enhanced energization and pitch angle scattering in comparison with the trajectories obtained without waves. The spikes may represent the nonlinear evolution of the waves. Observations are presented of low frequency waves and spiky electric fields measured in the plasma sheet. The relationship between the waves and the spikes is compared to wave evolution theories. The Lundquist number is evaluated for the magnetotail based on the wave observations and previously published studies of the current sheet scale sizes. The effects of the waves on the ion trajectories are discussed using the results from a particle tracing code.
Document ID
19970016588
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Cattell, C.
(Minnesota Univ. Minneapolis, MN United States)
Bennett, T.
(Minnesota Univ. Minneapolis, MN United States)
Sigsbee, K.
(Minnesota Univ. Minneapolis, MN United States)
Streed, T.
(Minnesota Univ. Minneapolis, MN United States)
Mozer, F. S.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA United States)
Roth, I.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA United States)
Tsuruda, K.
(Tokyo Univ. Sagamihara, Japan)
Yamamoto, T.
(Tokyo Univ. Sagamihara, Japan)
Okada, T.
(Toyama Prefectural Univ. Imizugun, Japan)
Kokubun, S.
(Nagoya Univ. Toyokawa, Japan)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1996
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
97N19029
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-95-06594
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-1098
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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