Generation of Weak Double Layers and Low-Frequency Electrostatic Waves in the Solar Wind

Solar Physics ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 290 (10) ◽  
pp. 3033-3049 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. S. Lakhina ◽  
S. V. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Double Layers ◽  
Electrostatic Waves

scholarly journals Double layers in the downward current region of the aurora

2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Ergun ◽  
L. Andersson ◽  
C. W. Carlson ◽  
D. L. Newman ◽  
M. V. Goldman
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Electron Beam ◽  
Phase Space ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Double Layers ◽  
Parallel Electric Field ◽  
Electrostatic Waves ◽  
Current Region ◽  
Decisive Evidence

Abstract. Direct observations of magnetic-field-aligned (parallel) electric fields in the downward current region of the aurora provide decisive evidence of naturally occurring double layers. We report measurements of parallel electric fields, electron fluxes and ion fluxes related to double layers that are responsible for particle acceleration. The observations suggest that parallel electric fields organize into a structure of three distinct, narrowly-confined regions along the magnetic field (B). In the "ramp" region, the measured parallel electric field forms a nearly-monotonic potential ramp that is localized to ~ 10 Debye lengths along B. The ramp is moving parallel to B at the ion acoustic speed (vs) and in the same direction as the accelerated electrons. On the high-potential side of the ramp, in the "beam" region, an unstable electron beam is seen for roughly another 10 Debye lengths along B. The electron beam is rapidly stabilized by intense electrostatic waves and nonlinear structures interpreted as electron phase-space holes. The "wave" region is physically separated from the ramp by the beam region. Numerical simulations reproduce a similar ramp structure, beam region, electrostatic turbulence region and plasma characteristics as seen in the observations. These results suggest that large double layers can account for the parallel electric field in the downward current region and that intense electrostatic turbulence rapidly stabilizes the accelerated electron distributions. These results also demonstrate that parallel electric fields are directly associated with the generation of large-amplitude electron phase-space holes and plasma waves.

scholarly journals Cancellation exponents and multifractal scaling laws in the solar wind magnetohydrodynamic turbulence

1996 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 777-785 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Carbone ◽  
R. Bruno
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Velocity Field ◽  
Scaling Laws ◽  
Interplanetary Medium ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Scaling Exponent ◽  
Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Multifractal Scaling

Abstract. Some signed measures in turbulence are found to be sign-singular, that is their sign reverses continuously on arbitrary finer scales with a reduction of the cancellation between positive and negative contributions. The strength of the singularity is characterized by a scaling exponent κ, the cancellation exponent. In the present study by using some turbulent samples of the velocity field obtained from spacecraft measurements in the interplanetary medium, we show that sign-singularity is present everywhere in low-frequency turbulent samples. The cancellation exponent can be related to the characteristic scaling laws of turbulence. Differences in the values of κ, calculated in both high- and low-speed streams, allow us to outline some physical differences in the samples with different velocities.

Low-frequency waves in the solar wind near Neptune

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 1071-1074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Zhang ◽  
J. W. Belcher ◽  
J. D. Richardson ◽  
V. M. Vasyliunas ◽  
R. P. Lepping ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Low Frequency Waves

Foreshock ULF fluctuations near the Moon: THEMIS observations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Salohub ◽  
Jana Šafránková ◽  
Zdeněk Němeček
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Rest Frame ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Solar Wind Plasma ◽  
Turbulent Plasma ◽  
Bow Shock ◽  
Ulf Waves ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Shock Surface ◽  
The Earth

<p>The foreshock is a region filled with a turbulent plasma located upstream the Earth’s bow shock where interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) lines are connected to the bow shock surface. In this region, ultra-low frequency (ULF) waves are generated due to the interaction of the solar wind plasma with particles reflected from the bow shock back into the solar wind. It is assumed that excited waves grow and they are convected through the solar wind/foreshock, thus the inner spacecraft (close to the bow shock) would observe larger wave amplitudes than the outer (far from the bow shock) spacecraft. The paper presents a statistical analysis of excited ULF fluctuations observed simultaneously by two closely separated THEMIS spacecraft orbiting the Moon under a nearly radial IMF. We found that ULF fluctuations (in the plasma rest frame) can be characterized as a mixture of transverse and compressional modes with different properties at both locations. We discuss the growth and/or damping of ULF waves during their propagation.</p>

Foreshock wave transmission into the magnetosheath and magnetosphere: results from global hybrid-Vlasov simulations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucile Turc ◽  
Markus Battarbee ◽  
Urs Ganse ◽  
Andreas Johlander ◽  
Yann Pfau-Kempf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Mach Number ◽  
Cone Angle ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Compressional Wave ◽  
Wave Transmission ◽  
Wave Power ◽  
Solar Wind Flow ◽  
Magnetic Pulsations ◽  
Wave Properties

<p>The foreshock, extending upstream of the quasi-parallel shock and populated with shock-reflected particles, is home to intense wave activity in the ultra-low frequency range.<em> </em>The most commonly observed of these waves are the “30 s” waves, fast magnetosonic waves propagating sunward in the plasma rest frame, but carried earthward by the faster solar wind flow. These waves are thought to be the main source of Pc3 magnetic pulsations (10 – 45 s) in the dayside magnetosphere. A handful of case studies with suitable spacecraft conjunctions have allowed simultaneous investigations of the wave properties in different geophysical regions, but the global picture of the wave transmission from the foreshock through the magnetosheath into the magnetosphere is still not known. In this work, we use global simulations performed with the hybrid-Vlasov model Vlasiator to study the Pc3 wave properties in the foreshock, magnetosheath and magnetosphere for different solar wind conditions. We find that in all three regions the wave power peaks at higher frequencies when the interplanetary magnetic field strength is larger, consistent with previous studies. While the transverse wave power decreases with decreasing Alfvén Mach number in the foreshock, the compressional wave power shows little variation. In contrast, in the magnetosheath and the magnetosphere, the compressional wave power decreases with decreasing Mach number. Inside the magnetosphere, the distribution of wave power varies with the IMF cone angle. We discuss the implications of these results for the propagation of foreshock waves across the different geophysical regions, and in particular their transmission through the bow shock.</p>

Propagation properties of foreshock cavitons and spontaneous hot flow anomalies: Statistical results from a global hybrid-Vlasov simulation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vertti Tarvus ◽  
Lucile Turc ◽  
Markus Battarbee ◽  
Jonas Suni ◽  
Xóchitl Blanco-Cano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Rest Frame ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Propagation Speed ◽  
Bow Shock ◽  
Linear Interaction ◽  
Frame Motion ◽  
Suprathermal Ions ◽  
Propagation Properties

<p>Foreshock cavitons are transient structures forming in Earth's foreshock as a result of non-linear interaction of ultra-low frequency waves. Cavitons are characterised by simultaneous density and magnetic field depressions with sizes of the order of 1 Earth radius. These transients are advected by the solar wind towards the bow shock, where they may accumulate shock-reflected suprathermal ions and become spontaneous hot flow anomalies (SHFAs), which are characterised by an enhanced temperature and a perturbed bulk flow inside them.<br>    Both spacecraft measurements and hybrid simulations have shown that while cavitons and SHFAs are carried towards the bow shock by the solar wind, their motion in the solar wind rest frame is directed upstream. In this work, we have made a statistical analysis of the propagation properties of cavitons and SHFAs using Vlasiator, a hybrid-Vlasov simulation model. In agreement with previous studies, we find the transients propagating upstream in the solar wind rest frame. Our results show that the solar wind rest frame motion of cavitons is aligned with the direction of the interplanetary magnetic field, while the motion of SHFAs deviates from this direction. We find that SHFAs have a faster solar wind rest frame propagation speed than cavitons, which is due to an increase in the sound speed near the bow shock, affecting the speed of the waves in the foreshock.</p>

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