NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Self-consistent current sheet structures in the quiet-time magnetotailThe structure of the quiet-time magnetotail is studied using a test particle simulation. Vlasov equilibria are obtained in the regime where v(D) = E(y) c/B(z) is much less than the ion thermal velocity and are self-consistent in that the current and magnetic field satisfy Ampere's law. Force balance between the plasma and magnetic field is satisfied everywhere. The global structure of the current sheet is found to be critically dependent on the source distribution function. The pressure tensor is nondiagonal in the current sheet with anisotropic temperature. A kinetic mechanism is proposed whereby changes in the source distribution results in a thinning of the current sheet.
Document ID
19940035204
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Holland, Daniel L.
(NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Chen, James
(U.S. Navy, Naval Research Lab. Washington, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
September 3, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 20
Issue: 17
ISSN: 0094-8276
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
94A11859
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASA ORDER W-16991
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available