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Parallel electric fields in a simulation of magnetotail reconnection and plasmoid evolutionProperties of the electric field component parallel to the magnetic field (E sub parallel) in a three-dimensional MHD simulation of plasmoid formation and evolution in the magnetotail in the presence of a net dawn-dusk magnetic field component were observed. Particularly emphasized was the spatial location of E(sub parallel), the concept of a diffusion zone and the role of E(sub parallel) in accelerating electrons. A localization of the region of enhanced E(sub parallel) in all space directions with a strong concentration in the z direction was found. This region was identified as the diffusion zone, which plays a crucial role in reconnection theory through the local break-down of magnetic flux conservation. The presence of B(sub y) implies a north-south asymmetry of the injection of accelerated particles into the near-earth region, if the net B(sub y) field is strong enough to force particles to follow field lines through the diffusion region. It is estimated that for a typical net B(sub y) field this should affect the injection of electrons into the near-earth dawn region, so that precipitation into the Northern (Southern) Hemisphere should dominate for duskward (dawnward) net B(sub y). In addition, a spatial clottiness of the expected injection of adiabatic particles which could be related to the appearance bright spots in auroras was observed.
Document ID
19890019599
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Hesse, Michael
(Los Alamos National Lab. NM, United States)
Birn, Joachim
(Los Alamos National Lab. NM, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1989
Subject Category
Geophysics
Report/Patent Number
CONF-8903131-1
LA-UR-89-1592
DE89-012622
Meeting Information
Meeting: Chapman Conference on the Physics of Magnetic Flux Ropes
Location: Hamilton
Country: Bermuda
Start Date: March 27, 1989
End Date: March 31, 1989
Accession Number
89N28970
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: W-7405-ENG-36
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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