Embedded current sheets in the Earth's magnetotailPublication date: 28 Jan 2011 Authors: Petrukovich, A.A., et al.
Journal: Journal of Geophysical Research Copyright: American Geophysical Union In this investigation we introduce and discuss quantitative parameters of a thin current sheet embedded in the background plasma sheet. We use Cluster statistics and empirical models, as well as self-consistent simulations, to understand the formation and development of embedded current sheets, in particular in the course of substorms. Data and theory show that the embedded sheet thickness is of the order of a proton larmor radius, a constraint equivalent to magnetic flux conservation. The embedded sheet can be essentially described by two dimensionless parameters B0/Bext and F0/Fext. B0 is the magnetic field at the embedded sheet boundary, Bext is the field at the boundary of the background plasma sheet, and F0 and Fext are magnetic flux values. During the growth phase current density in embedded sheet and B0 increase, while thickness decreases. Sheets with the most intense currents (large B0) are observed after onset. The self-consistent anisotropic sheet model, including both electron and proton currents and combined with the Harris-type background shows that when the proton-scale embedded sheet becomes sufficiently thin, an electron-scale current sheet can appear inside it due to enhanced electron curvature drift.
Last Update: 03 May 2011
|
- Missions
- Show All Missions
- Mission Home
- Summary
- Fact Sheet
- Objectives
- Mission Team
- Orbit View
- Background Science
- Earth's Magnetic Field
- Plasma Regions
- Solar Wind
- Energetic Particles
- Space Weather
- Science Results
- Highlights
- Refereed Publications
-
Spacecraft…
-
Mission Operations…
- Science Operations
- Science Operations
- Guest Investigator Operations
- JSOC
- CSDS
- Cluster Active Archive
- Resources
- News Archive
- Multimedia Gallery
- Publication Archive
- Calendar of Events
- Services
- Contact Us
- Subscribe
- Terms and Conditions
