scholarly journals Relation between magnetic fields and electric currents in plasmas

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 2589-2597 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. M. Vasyliunas
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Time Scales ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Charged Particles ◽  
Displacement Current ◽  
Plasma Dynamics ◽  
Electric Fields And Currents ◽  
The One ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Maxwell's equations allow the magnetic field B to be calculated if the electric current density J is assumed to be completely known as a function of space and time. The charged particles that constitute the current, however, are subject to Newton's laws as well, and J can be changed by forces acting on charged particles. Particularly in plasmas, where the concentration of charged particles is high, the effect of the electromagnetic field calculated from a given J on J itself cannot be ignored. Whereas in ordinary laboratory physics one is accustomed to take J as primary and B as derived from J, it is often asserted that in plasmas B should be viewed as primary and J as derived from B simply as (c/4π)∇×B. Here I investigate the relation between ∇×B and J in the same terms and by the same method as previously applied to the MHD relation between the electric field and the plasma bulk flow vmv2001: assume that one but not the other is present initially, and calculate what happens. The result is that, for configurations with spatial scales much larger than the electron inertial length λe, a given ∇×B produces the corresponding J, while a given J does not produce any ∇×B but disappears instead. The reason for this can be understood by noting that ∇×B≠4π/c)J implies a time-varying electric field (displacement current) which acts to change both terms (in order to bring them toward equality); the changes in the two terms, however, proceed on different time scales, light travel time for B and electron plasma period for J, and clearly the term changing much more slowly is the one that survives. (By definition, the two time scales are equal at λe.) On larger scales, the evolution of B (and hence also of ∇×B) is governed by ∇×E, with E determined by plasma dynamics via the generalized Ohm's law; as illustrative simple examples, I discuss the formation of magnetic drift currents in the magnetosphere and of Pedersen and Hall currents in the ionosphere. Keywords. Ionosphere (Electric fields and currents) – Magnetospheric physics (Magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions) – Space plasma physics (Kinetic and MHD theory)

scholarly journals Mapping of steady-state electric fields and convective drifts in geomagnetic fields – Part 1: Elementary models

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. M. Walker ◽  
G. J. Sofko
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Magnetic Field Line ◽  
Geomagnetic Field ◽  
Geomagnetic Field Models ◽  
Spatial Derivatives ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. When studying magnetospheric convection, it is often necessary to map the steady-state electric field, measured at some point on a magnetic field line, to a magnetically conjugate point in the other hemisphere, or the equatorial plane, or at the position of a satellite. Such mapping is relatively easy in a dipole field although the appropriate formulae are not easily accessible. They are derived and reviewed here with some examples. It is not possible to derive such formulae in more realistic geomagnetic field models. A new method is described in this paper for accurate mapping of electric fields along field lines, which can be used for any field model in which the magnetic field and its spatial derivatives can be computed. From the spatial derivatives of the magnetic field three first order differential equations are derived for the components of the normalized element of separation of two closely spaced field lines. These can be integrated along with the magnetic field tracing equations and Faraday's law used to obtain the electric field as a function of distance measured along the magnetic field line. The method is tested in a simple model consisting of a dipole field plus a magnetotail model. The method is shown to be accurate, convenient, and suitable for use with more realistic geomagnetic field models.

scholarly journals Time evolution of electric fields and currents and the generalized Ohm's law

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 1347-1354 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. M. Vasyliūnas
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Current ◽  
Time Evolution ◽  
Time Scales ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Time Derivative ◽  
Electron Plasma ◽  
Displacement Current ◽  
Ohm’S Law ◽  
Ohm's Law

Abstract. Fundamentally, the time derivative of the electric field is given by the displacement-current term in Maxwell's generalization of Ampère's law, and the time derivative of the electric current density is given by the generalized Ohm's law. The latter is derived by summing the accelerations of all the plasma particles and can be written exactly, with no approximations, in a (relatively simple) primitive form containing no other time derivatives. When one is dealing with time scales long compared to the inverse of the electron plasma frequency and spatial scales large compared to the electron inertial length, however, the time derivative of the current density becomes negligible in comparison to the other terms in the generalized Ohm's law, which then becomes the equation that determines the electric field itself. Thus, on all scales larger than those of electron plasma oscillations, neither the time evolution of J nor that of E can be calculated directly. Instead, J is determined by B through Ampère's law and E by plasma dynamics through the generalized Ohm's law. The displacement current may still be non-negligible if the Alfvén speed is comparable to or larger than the speed of light, but it no longer determines the time evolution of E, acting instead to modify J. For theories of substorms, this implies that, on time scales appropriate to substorm expansion, there is no equation from which the time evolution of the current could be calculated, independently of ∇xB. Statements about change (disruption, diversion, wedge formation, etc.) of the electric current are merely descriptions of change in the magnetic field and are not explanations.

INFLUENCE OF THE MAGNETIC FIELD ON THE TRANSVERSE RUNAWAY THRESHOLD

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 1715-1720 ◽  
Author(s):  
NANA METREVELI ◽  
ZAUR KACHLISHVILI ◽  
BEKA BOCHORISHVILI
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Applied Electric Field ◽  
Nonlinear Oscillations ◽  
Hot Electrons ◽  
Total Field ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Energy And Momentum ◽  
The Magnetic Field

The transverse runaway (TR) is a phenomenon whereby for a certain combination of energy and momentum scattering mechanisms of hot electrons, and for a certain threshold of the applied electric field, the internal (total) field tends to infinity. In this work, the effect of the magnetic field on the transverse runaway threshold is considered. It is shown that with increasing magnetic field, the applied critical electric fields relevant to TR decrease. The obtained results are important for practical applications of the TR effect as well as for the investigation of possible nonlinear oscillations that may occur near the TR threshold.

scholarly journals Simultaneous optical, CUTLASS HF radar, and FAST spacecraft observations: signatures of boundary layer processes in the cusp

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 511-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Oksavik ◽  
F. Søraas ◽  
J. Moen ◽  
R. Pfaff ◽  
J. A. Davies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Spectral Width ◽  
Hf Radar ◽  
Optical Data ◽  
Low Energy Electrons ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Auroral Phenomena ◽  
Electric Fields And Currents

Abstract. In this paper we discuss counterstreaming electrons, electric field turbulence, HF radar spectral width enhancements, and field-aligned currents in the southward IMF cusp region. Electric field and particle observations from the FAST spacecraft are compared with CUTLASS Finland spectral width enhancements and ground-based optical data from Svalbard during a meridional crossing of the cusp. The observed 630nm rayed arc (Type-1 cusp aurora) is associated with stepped cusp ion signatures. Simultaneous counterstreaming low-energy electrons on open magnetic field lines lead us to propose that such electrons may be an important source for rayed red arcs through pitch angle scattering in collisions with the upper atmosphere. The observed particle precipitation and electric field turbulence are found to be nearly collocated with the equatorward edge of the optical cusp, in a region where CUTLASS Finland also observed enhanced spectral width. The electric field turbulence is observed to extend far poleward of the optical cusp. The broad-band electric field turbulence corresponds to spatial scale lengths down to 5m. Therefore, we suggest that electric field irregularities are directly responsible for the formation of HF radar backscatter targets and may also explain the observed wide spectra. FAST also encountered two narrow highly structured field-aligned current pairs flowing near the edges of cusp ion steps. Key words. Ionosphere (electric fields and currents). Magnetosphere physics (magnetopause, cusp, and boundary layers; auroral phenomena)

scholarly journals The dawn and dusk electrojet response to substorm onset

2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 1097-1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Borälv ◽  
P. Eglitis ◽  
H. J. Opgenoorth ◽  
E. Donovan ◽  
G. Reeves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Neutral Line ◽  
Substorm Onset ◽  
Model Case ◽  
Onset Timing ◽  
Storms And Substorms ◽  
Electric Fields And Currents ◽  
Substorm Onsets

Abstract. We have investigated the time delay between substorm onset and related reactions in the dawn and dusk ionospheric electrojets, clearly separated from the nightside located substorm current wedge by several hours in MLT. We looked for substorm onsets occurring over Greenland, where the onset was identified by a LANL satellite and DMI magnetometers located on Greenland. With this setup the MARIA magnetometer network was located at dusk, monitoring the eastward electrojet, and the IMAGE chain at dawn, for the westward jet. In the first few minutes following substorm onset, sudden enhancements of the electrojets were identified by looking for rapid changes in magnetograms. These results show that the speed of information transfer between the region of onset and the dawn and dusk ionosphere is very high. A number of events where the reaction seemed to preceed the onset were explained by either unfavorable instrument locations, preventing proper onset timing, or by the inner magnetosphere's reaction to the Earthward fast flows from the near-Earth neutral line model. Case studies with ionospheric coherent (SuperDARN) and incoherent (EISCAT) radars have been performed to see whether a convection-induced electric field or enhanced conductivity is the main agent for the reactions in the electrojets. The results indicate an imposed electric field enhancement.Key words: Ionosphere (auroral ionosphere; electric fields and currents) - Magnetospheric physics (storms and substorms)

scholarly journals Ion energy increase in laser-generated plasma expanding through axial magnetic field trap

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 453-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Torrisi ◽  
D. Margarone ◽  
S. Gammino ◽  
L. Andò
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Axial Magnetic Field ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
High Vacuum ◽  
Target Surface ◽  
Axial Direction ◽  
Ion Interactions ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Laser-generated plasma is obtained in high vacuum (10−7 mbar) by irradiation of metallic targets (Al, Cu, Ta) with laser beam with intensities of the order of 1010 W/cm2. An Nd:Yag laser operating at 1064 nm wavelength, 9 ns pulse width, and 500 mJ maximum pulse energy is used. Time of flight measurements of ion emission along the direction normal to the target surface were performed with an ion collector. Measurements with and without a 0.1 Tesla magnetic field, directed along the normal to the target surface, have been taken for different target-detector distances and for increasing laser pulse intensity. Results have demonstrated that the magnetic field configuration creates an electron trap in front of the target surface along the axial direction. Electric fields inside the trap induce ion acceleration; the presence of electron bundles not only focuses the ion beam but also increases its energy, mean charge state and current. The explanation of this phenomenon can be found in the electric field modification inside the non-equilibrium plasma because of an electron bunching that increases the number of electron-ion interactions. The magnetic field, in fact, modifies the electric field due to the charge separation between the clouds of fast electrons, many of which remain trapped in the magnetic hole, and slow ions, ejected from the ablated target; moreover it increases the number of electron-ion interactions producing higher charge states.

scholarly journals Time development of electric fields and currents in space plasmas

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 1137-1143
Author(s):  
A. T. Y. Lui
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Electric Current ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Time Development ◽  
Space Plasmas ◽  
Simplifying Assumptions ◽  
Electric Fields And Currents ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Made In

Abstract. Two different approaches, referred to as Bu and Ej, can be used to examine the time development of electric fields and currents in space plasmas based on the fundamental laws of physics. From the Bu approach, the required equation involves the generalized Ohm's law with some simplifying assumptions. From the Ej approach, the required equation can be derived from the equation of particle motion, coupled self-consistently with Maxwell's equation, and the definition of electric current density. Recently, some strong statements against the Ej approach have been made. In this paper, we evaluate these statements by discussing (1) some limitations of the Bu approach in solving the time development of electric fields and currents, (2) the procedure in calculating self-consistently the time development of the electric current in space plasmas without taking the curl of the magnetic field in some cases, and (3) the dependency of the time development of magnetic field on electric current. It is concluded that the Ej approach can be useful to understand some magnetospheric problems. In particular, statements about the change of electric current are valid theoretical explanations of change in magnetic field during substorms.

scholarly journals Quantitative modelling of the closure of meso-scale parallel currents in the nightside ionosphere

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Marchaudon ◽  
J.-C. Cerisier ◽  
O. Amm ◽  
M. Lester ◽  
C. W. Carlson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Satellite Orbit ◽  
Precipitation Pattern ◽  
Field Gradients ◽  
Southward Shift ◽  
Field Aligned Current ◽  
Electric Field Profile ◽  
Electric Fields And Currents ◽  
Meso Scale

Abstract. On 12 January 2000, during a northward IMF period, two successive conjunctions occur between the CUTLASS SuperDARN radar pair and the two satellites Ørsted and FAST. This situation is used to describe and model the electrodynamic of a nightside meso-scale arc associated with a convection shear. Three field-aligned current sheets, one upward and two downward on both sides, are observed. Based on the measurements of the parallel currents and either the conductance or the electric field profile, a model of the ionospheric current closure is developed along each satellite orbit. This model is one-dimensional, in a first attempt and a two-dimensional model is tested for the Ørsted case. These models allow one to quantify the balance between electric field gradients and ionospheric conductance gradients in the closure of the field-aligned currents. These radar and satellite data are also combined with images from Polar-UVI, allowing for a description of the time evolution of the arc between the two satellite passes. The arc is very dynamic, in spite of quiet solar wind conditions. Periodic enhancements of the convection and of electron precipitation associated with the arc are observed, probably associated with quasi-periodic injections of particles due to reconnection in the magnetotail. Also, a northward shift and a reorganisation of the precipitation pattern are observed, together with a southward shift of the convection shear. Key words. Ionosphere (auroral ionosphere; electric fields and currents; particle precipitation) – Magnetospheric physics (magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions)

Suppression of runaway of electrons in a Lorentz plasma. II. crossed electric and magnetic fields

1970 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 441-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Abraham-Shrauner
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Cyclotron Frequency ◽  
Collision Frequency ◽  
Uniform Electric Field ◽  
Drift Motion ◽  
Electric And Magnetic Fields ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Suppression of runaway of electrons in a weak, uniform electric field in a fully ionized Lorentz plasma by crossed magnetic and electric fields is analysed. A uniform, constant magnetic field parallel to a constant or harmonically time varying electric field does not alter runaway from that in the absence of the magnetic field. For crossed, constant fields the passage to runaway or to free motion as described by constant drift motion and spiral motion about the magnetic field is lengthened in time for strong magnetic fields. The new ‘runaway’ time scale is roughly the ratio of the cyclotron frequency to the collision frequency squared for cyclotron frequencies much greater than the collision frequency. All ‘runaway’ time scales may be given approximately by t2E Teff where tE is the characteristic time of the electric field and Teff is the ffective collision time as estimated from the appropriate component of the electrical conductivity.

SEQUENTIAL RESONANT TUNNELING BETWEEN LANDAU LEVELS IN GaAs\AlGaAs SUPERLATTICES IN STRONG TILTED MAGNETIC AND ELECTRIC FIELDS

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (08n09) ◽  
pp. 1594-1599 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. TELENKOV ◽  
YU. A. MITYAGIN
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Resonant Tunneling ◽  
Landau Levels ◽  
Domain Formation ◽  
Tunneling Transition ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Component Parallel ◽  
Tilted Magnetic Field

The transverse resonant tunneling transport and electric field domain formation in GaAs/AlGaAs superlattices were investigated in a strong tilted magnetic field. The magnetic field component parallel to structure layers causes intensive tunneling transition between Landau levels with Δn≠0, resulting in the considerable "inhomogeneous" broadening of intersubband tunneling resonance as well as in the shift of the resonance toward higher electric fields. This leads to noticeable changes of the I-V characteristics of the superlattice, namely to smoothing of the periodic NDC structure on plateau-like regions caused by formation of the electric field domains and to the shift of the plateaus toward the higher applied voltage. The predicted behavior of the I-V characteristics of the structures in magnetic field was found experimentally.

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