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Equilibrium structure of the plasma sheet boundary layer-lobe interfaceObservations are presented which show that plasma parameters vary on a scale length smaller than the ion gyroradius at the interface between the plasma sheet boundary layer and the lobe. The Vlasov equation is used to investigate the properties of such a boundary layer. The existence, at the interface, of a density gradient whose scale length is smaller than the ion gyroradius implies that an electrostatic potential is established in order to maintain quasi-neutrality. Strongly sheared (scale lengths smaller than the ion gyroradius) perpendicular and parallel (to the ambient magnetic field) electron flows develop whose peak velocities are on the order of the electron thermal speed and which carry a net current. The free energy of the sheared flows can give rise to a broadband spectrum of electrostatic instabilities starting near the electron plasma frequency and extending below the lower hybrid frequency.
Document ID
19910036461
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Romero, H.
(Naval Research Lab. Washington, DC, United States)
Ganguli, G.
(Naval Research Lab. Washington, DC, United States)
Palmadesso, P.
(U.S. Navy, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC, United States)
Dusenbery, P. B.
(NSF Washington, DC, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 17
ISSN: 0094-8276
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
91A21084
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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