scholarly journals Filamentary Alfvénic structures excited at the edges of equatorial plasma bubbles

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 2159-2165 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Pottelette ◽  
M. Malingre ◽  
J. J. Berthelier ◽  
E. Seran ◽  
M. Parrot
Keyword(s):  
Alfven Waves ◽  
Alfvén Waves ◽  
Plasma Bubble ◽  
Plasma Bubbles ◽  
Wave Measurements ◽  
Demeter Satellite ◽  
Equatorial Plasma Bubbles ◽  
Background Magnetic Field ◽  
Gravity Driven ◽  
Displacement Currents

Abstract. Recent observations performed by the French DEMETER satellite at altitudes of about 710 km suggest that the generation of equatorial plasma bubbles correlates with the presence of filamentary structures of field aligned currents carried by Alfvén waves. These localized structures are located at the bubble edges. We study the dynamics of the equatorial plasma bubbles, taking into account that their motion is dictated by gravity driven and displacement currents. Ion-polarization currents appear to be crucial for the accurate description of the evolution of plasma bubbles in the high altitude ionosphere. During their eastward/westward motion the bubbles intersect gravity driven currents flowing transversely with respect to the background magnetic field. The circulation of these currents is prohibited by large density depressions located at the bubble edges acting as perfect insulators. As a result, in these localized regions the transverse currents have to be locally closed by field aligned currents. Such a physical process generates kinetic Alfvén waves which appear to be stationary in the plasma bubble reference frame. Using a two-dimensional model and "in situ" wave measurements on board the DEMETER spacecraft, we give estimates for the magnitude of the field aligned currents and the associated Alfvén fields.

scholarly journals Large-amplitude electromagnetic waves in magnetized relativistic plasmas with temperature

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 217-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Muñoz ◽  
F. A. Asenjo ◽  
M. Domínguez ◽  
R. A. López ◽  
J. A. Valdivia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Thermal Effects ◽  
Large Amplitude ◽  
Plasma Frequency ◽  
Plasma Temperature ◽  
Alfven Waves ◽  
Alfvén Waves ◽  
Background Magnetic Field ◽  
Cold Case ◽  
Effective Plasma Frequency

Abstract. Propagation of large-amplitude waves in plasmas is subject to several sources of nonlinearity due to relativistic effects, either when particle quiver velocities in the wave field are large, or when thermal velocities are large due to relativistic temperatures. Wave propagation in these conditions has been studied for decades, due to its interest in several contexts such as pulsar emission models, laser-plasma interaction, and extragalactic jets. For large-amplitude circularly polarized waves propagating along a constant magnetic field, an exact solution of the fluid equations can be found for relativistic temperatures. Relativistic thermal effects produce: (a) a decrease in the effective plasma frequency (thus, waves in the electromagnetic branch can propagate for lower frequencies than in the cold case); and (b) a decrease in the upper frequency cutoff for the Alfvén branch (thus, Alfvén waves are confined to a frequency range that is narrower than in the cold case). It is also found that the Alfvén speed decreases with temperature, being zero for infinite temperature. We have also studied the same system, but based on the relativistic Vlasov equation, to include thermal effects along the direction of propagation. It turns out that kinetic and fluid results are qualitatively consistent, with several quantitative differences. Regarding the electromagnetic branch, the effective plasma frequency is always larger in the kinetic model. Thus, kinetic effects reduce the transparency of the plasma. As to the Alfvén branch, there is a critical, nonzero value of the temperature at which the Alfvén speed is zero. For temperatures above this critical value, the Alfvén branch is suppressed; however, if the background magnetic field increases, then Alfvén waves can propagate for larger temperatures. There are at least two ways in which the above results can be improved. First, nonlinear decays of the electromagnetic wave have been neglected; second, the kinetic treatment considers thermal effects only along the direction of propagation. We have approached the first subject by studying the parametric decays of the exact wave solution found in the context of fluid theory. The dispersion relation of the decays has been solved, showing several resonant and nonresonant instabilities whose dependence on the wave amplitude and plasma temperature has been studied systematically. Regarding the second subject, we are currently performing numerical 1-D particle in cell simulations, a work that is still in progress, although preliminary results are consistent with the analytical ones.

scholarly journals Study of Equatorial Plasma Bubbles Using ASI and GPS Systems

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dada P. Nade ◽  
Swapnil S. Potdar ◽  
Rani P. Pawar
Keyword(s):  
Electron Content ◽  
Gps Receiver ◽  
Plasma Bubble ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Plasma Irregularities ◽  
Plasma Bubbles ◽  
F Region ◽  
Equatorial Plasma Bubbles ◽  
Background Density

The plasma irregularities have been frequently observed in the F-region, at low latitude regions, due to the instability processes occurring in the ionosphere. The depletions in electron density, as compared to the background density, is a signature of the plasma irregularities. These irregularities are also known as the “equatorial plasma bubble” (EPB). These EPBs can measure by the total electron content (TEC) using GPS receiver and by images of the nightglow OI 630.0 nm emissions using all sky imager (ASI). The current chapter is based on the review on the signature of the EPBs in TEC and ASI. measurements. We have also discussed the importance of the study of EPBs.

scholarly journals Non-Linear Damping of Surface Alfvén Waves Due to Uniturbulence

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajab Ismayilli ◽  
Tom Van Doorsselaere ◽  
Marcel Goossens ◽  
Norbert Magyar
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Alfven Waves ◽  
Equilibrium Density ◽  
Alfvén Waves ◽  
Constant Density ◽  
Analytical Prediction ◽  
Background Magnetic Field ◽  
Kink Waves ◽  
Linear Damping ◽  
Analytical Expressions

This investigation is concerned with uniturbulence associated with surface Alfvén waves that exist in a Cartesian equilibrium model with a constant magnetic field and a piece-wise constant density. The surface where the equilibrium density changes in a discontinuous manner are the source of surface Alfvén waves. These surface Alfvén waves create uniturbulence because of the variation of the density across the background magnetic field. The damping of the surface Alfvén waves due to uniturbulence is determined using the Elsässer formulation. Analytical expressions for the wave energy density, the energy cascade, and the damping time are derived. The study of uniturbulence due to surface Alfvén waves is inspired by the observation that (the fundamental radial mode of) kink waves behave similarly to surface Alfvén waves. The results for this relatively simple case of surface Alfvén waves can help us understand the more complicated case of kink waves in cylinders. We perform a series of 3D ideal MHD simulations for a numerical demonstration of the non-linearly self-cascading model of unidirectional surface Alfvén waves using the code MPI-AMRVAC. We show that surface Alfvén waves damping time in the numerical simulations follows well our analytical prediction for that quantity. Analytical theory and the simulations show that the damping time is inversely proportional to the amplitude of the surface Alfvén waves and the density contrast. This unidirectional cascade may play a role in heating the coronal plasma.

scholarly journals Dynamics Ionospheric Plasma Bubbles Measured by Optical Imaging System

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-27
Author(s):  
Narayan P. Chapagain
Keyword(s):  
Imaging System ◽  
Equatorial Ionosphere ◽  
Navigation Systems ◽  
Plasma Bubble ◽  
Central Pacific ◽  
Central Pacific Ocean ◽  
Plasma Bubbles ◽  
Christmas Island ◽  
Equatorial Plasma Bubbles ◽  
Plasma Depletions

Deep plasma depletions during the nighttime period in the equatorial ionosphere (referred to as equatorial plasma bubbles –EPBs) can significantly affect communications and navigation systems. In this study, we present the image measurements of plasma bubble from Christmas Island (2.1°N, 157.4°W, dip latitude 2.8°N) in the central Pacific Ocean. These observations were made during September-October 1995 using a Utah State University (USU) CCD imaging system measured at ~280 km altitude. Well-defined magnetic field-aligned plasma depletions were observed for 18 nights, including strong post-midnight fossilized structures, enabling detailed measurements of their morphology and dynamics. We also estimate zonal velocity of the plasma bubbles from available images. The zonal drift velocity of the EPBs is a very important parameter for the understanding and modeling of the electrodynamics of the equatorial ionosphere and for the predictions of ionospheric irregularities. The eastward zonal drift velocities were around 90-100 m/s prior to local midnight, and decreases during the post-midnight period that persisted until dawn.Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 2015, 20(1): 20-27

scholarly journals Analysis of the seasonal variations of equatorial plasma bubble occurrence observed from Haleakala, Hawaii

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 3109-3121 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Makela ◽  
B. M. Ledvina ◽  
M. C. Kelley ◽  
P. M. Kintner
Keyword(s):  
Optical Data ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Maximum Probability ◽  
Plasma Bubble ◽  
Active Growth ◽  
Seasonal Trends ◽  
Plasma Bubbles ◽  
Gps Scintillation ◽  
Equatorial Plasma Bubbles ◽  
The Pacific

Abstract. Over 300 nights of airglow and GPS scintillation data collected between January 2002 and August 2003 (a period near solar maximum) from the Haleakala Volcano, Hawaii are analyzed to obtain the seasonal trends for the occurrence of equatorial plasma bubbles in the Pacific sector (203° E). A maximum probability for bubble development is seen in the data in April (45%) and September (83%). A broad maximum of occurrence is seen in the data from June to October (62%). Many of the bubbles observed from June through August occur later in the evening, and, as seen in the optical data, tend to be "fossilized". This suggests that the active growth region during these months is to the west of the observing location. These seasonal trends are consistent with previous data sets obtained both from other ground-based and satellite studies of the occurrence of equatorial bubbles in the Pacific sector. However, our data suggests a much greater probability of bubble occurrence than is seen in other data sets, with bubbles observed on over 40% of the nights studied.

scholarly journals Propagation of shear Alfvén waves in a two-ion plasma and application as a diagnostic for the ion density ratio

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Robertson ◽  
T. A. Carter ◽  
S. Vincena
Keyword(s):  
Density Ratio ◽  
Cutoff Frequency ◽  
Diagnostic Technique ◽  
Alfven Waves ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Alfvén Waves ◽  
Ion Density ◽  
Background Magnetic Field ◽  
Shear Alfven Waves

In this paper, we propose an efficient diagnostic technique for determining spatially resolved measurements of the ion density ratio in a magnetized two-ion species plasma. Shear Alfvén waves were injected into a mixed helium–neon plasma using a magnetic loop antenna, for frequencies spanning the ion cyclotron regime. Two distinct propagation bands are observed, bounded by $\omega < \varOmega _\textrm {Ne}$ and $\omega _{ii} < \omega < \varOmega _\textrm {He}$ , where $\omega _{ii}$ is the ion–ion hybrid cutoff frequency and $\varOmega _\textrm {He}$ and $\varOmega _\textrm {Ne}$ are the helium and neon cyclotron frequencies, respectively. A theoretical analysis of the cutoff frequency was performed and shows it to be largely unaffected by kinetic electron effects and collisionality, although it can deviate significantly from $\omega _{{ii}}$ in the presence of warm ions due to ion finite Larmor radius effects. A new diagnostic technique and accompanying algorithm was developed in which the measured parallel wavenumber $k_\parallel$ is numerically fit to the predicted inertial Alfvén wave dispersion in order to resolve the local ion density ratio. A major advantage of this algorithm is that it only requires a measurement of $k_\parallel$ and the background magnetic field in order to be employed. This diagnostic was tested on the Large Plasma Device at UCLA and was successful in yielding radially localized measurements of the ion density ratio.

scholarly journals Comparing plasma bubble occurrence rates at CHAMP and GRACE altitudes during high and low solar activity

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (9) ◽  
pp. 1647-1658 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Xiong ◽  
J. Park ◽  
H. Lühr ◽  
C. Stolle ◽  
S. Y. Ma
Keyword(s):  
Solar Flux ◽  
Occurrence Rate ◽  
Plasma Bubble ◽  
Plasma Irregularities ◽  
Plasma Bubbles ◽  
Equatorial Plasma Bubbles ◽  
Dip Equator ◽  
Number Of Passes ◽  
First Time ◽  
North And South

Abstract. Based on the multi-year data base (2001–2009) of CHAMP Planar Langmuir Probe (PLP) data and GRACE K-Band Ranging (KBR1B) data, typical features of ionospheric plasma irregularities are studied at the altitudes of CHAMP (300–400 km) and GRACE (~500 km). The phenomena we are focusing on are the equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs). Similar seasonal/longitudinal (S/L) distributions of EPB have been found at both CHAMP and GRACE altitudes during solar active and quiet years. Peak EPB occurrence rates, defined as number of events within an S/L bin divided by the number of passes over that bin, decrease from the high and moderate solar flux period (2001–2005) to the low solar flux period (2005–2009) from 80% to 60% and 60% to 40% at CHAMP and GRACE altitudes, respectively. On average the occurrence rate increases linearly with solar flux at about the same rate at CHAMP and GRACE. For high flux levels (P10.7>200) non-linear increases are observed at GRACE. The occurrence rate increases rapidly after 19:00 local time (LT) during high solar flux periods. Around solar minimum rates increase more gently and peak around 22:00 LT. The highest occurrence rates are encountered at latitudes around 10° north and south of the dip equator. Results from the two altitudes support the notion that EPBs form regions of depleted plasma along geomagnetic fluxtubes. It is shown for the first time that in regions of high occurrence rates EPBs are associated with fluxtubes reaching greater apex heights than those in regions of low rates.

Nonlinear surface Alfvén waves

1991 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. F. Cramer
Keyword(s):  
Wave Equations ◽  
Second Harmonic ◽  
Harmonic Wave ◽  
Soliton Solutions ◽  
Alfven Waves ◽  
Nonlinear Wave Equations ◽  
Frequency Effect ◽  
Alfvén Waves ◽  
Background Magnetic Field ◽  
Nonlinear Surface

The problem of nonlinear surface Alfvén waves propagating on an interface between a plasma and a vacuum is discussed, with dispersion provided by the finite-frequency effect, i.e. the finite ratio of the frequency to the ion-cyclotron frequency. A set of simplified nonlinear wave equations is derived using the method of stretched co-ordinates, and another approach uses the generation of a second-harmonic wave and its interaction with the first harmonic to obtain a nonlinear dispersion relation. A nonlinear Schrödinger equation is then derived, and soliton solutions found that propagate as solitary pulses in directions close to parallel and antiparallel to the background magnetic field.

scholarly journals The study of equatorial plasma bubble during January to April 2012 over Kolhapur (India)

2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Parashram T. Patil ◽  
Rupesh N. Ghodpage ◽  
Alok K. Taori ◽  
Rohit P. Patil ◽  
Subramanian Gurubaran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Emission Line ◽  
Drift Velocity ◽  
Velocity Variation ◽  
Plasma Bubble ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Plasma Bubbles ◽  
F Region ◽  
Equatorial Plasma Bubbles ◽  
Observation Period

<p>Over 53 nights of all sky airglow imager data collected during January-April 2012 from the low latitude station Kolhapur (16.68°N, 74.26°E; 10.6°N dip latitude) have been analyzed to study the F-region dynamics through the imaging of OI 630 nm emission line. The observed night airglow data were supported by the ionosonde measurements from Tirunelveli (8.7°N, 77.8°E; 0.51°N dip latitude). Well defined magnetic field aligned depletions were observed during the observation period. Out of 53 nights, 40 nights exhibited the occurrence of north-south aligned equatorial plasma bubbles. These plasma bubbles were found moving towards east with drift speed in range between 70 to 200 m s<span><sup>-1</sup></span>. We have analyzed the zonal drift velocity variation and relation of bubble occurrence with the base height of the ionosphere together with the effects of the geomagnetic Ap and solar flux F<span><sub>10.7</sub></span> cm index in its first appearance.</p>

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