scholarly journals Hydromagnetic waves in a compressed-dipole field via field-aligned Klein–Gordon equations

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinlei Zheng ◽  
Qiang Hu ◽  
Gary M. Webb ◽  
James F. McKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Amplitude Ratio ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Earth’S Magnetosphere ◽  
Background Magnetic Field ◽  
Earth's Magnetosphere ◽  
Klein Gordon ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Hydromagnetic Waves

Abstract. Hydromagnetic waves, especially those of frequencies in the range of a few millihertz to a few hertz observed in the Earth's magnetosphere, are categorized as ultra low-frequency (ULF) waves or pulsations. They have been extensively studied due to their importance in the interaction with radiation belt particles and in probing the structures of the magnetosphere. We developed an approach to examining the toroidal standing Aflvén waves in a background magnetic field by recasting the wave equation into a Klein–Gordon (KG) form along individual field lines. The eigenvalue solutions to the system are characteristic of a propagation type when the corresponding eigenfrequency is greater than a critical frequency and a decaying type otherwise. We apply the approach to a compressed-dipole magnetic field model of the inner magnetosphere and obtain the spatial profiles of relevant parameters and the spatial wave forms of harmonic oscillations. We further extend the approach to poloidal-mode standing Alfvén waves along field lines. In particular, we present a quantitative comparison with a recent spacecraft observation of a poloidal standing Alfvén wave in the Earth's magnetosphere. Our analysis based on the KG equation yields consistent results which agree with the spacecraft measurements of the wave period and the amplitude ratio between the magnetic field and electric field perturbations.

scholarly journals Electron dynamics during substorm dipolarization in Mercury's magnetosphere

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 3389-3398 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Delcourt ◽  
K. Seki ◽  
N. Terada ◽  
Y. Miyoshi
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Expansion Phase ◽  
Earth’S Magnetosphere ◽  
High Energy Electrons ◽  
Earth's Magnetosphere ◽  
Magnetic Field Model ◽  
Particle Simulations ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. We examine the nonlinear dynamics of electrons during the expansion phase of substorms at Mercury using test particle simulations. A simple model of magnetic field line dipolarization is designed by rescaling a magnetic field model of the Earth's magnetosphere. The results of the simulations demonstrate that electrons may be subjected to significant energization on the time scale (several seconds) of the magnetic field reconfiguration. In a similar manner to ions in the near-Earth's magnetosphere, it is shown that low-energy (up to several tens of eV) electrons may not conserve the second adiabatic invariant during dipolarization, which leads to clusters of bouncing particles in the innermost magnetotail. On the other hand, it is found that, because of the stretching of the magnetic field lines, high-energy electrons (several keVs and above) do not behave adiabatically and possibly experience meandering (Speiser-type) motion around the midplane. We show that dipolarization of the magnetic field lines may be responsible for significant, though transient, (a few seconds) precipitation of energetic (several keVs) electrons onto the planet's surface. Prominent injections of energetic trapped electrons toward the planet are also obtained as a result of dipolarization. These injections, however, do not exhibit short-lived temporal modulations, as observed by Mariner-10, which thus appear to follow from a different mechanism than a simple convection surge.

scholarly journals The Relaxation of Reconnected Open Magnetic Field Lines in the Earth’s Magnetosphere

2020 ◽  
Vol 900 (1) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Jiaying Xu ◽  
Xiaojun Xu ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
Yudong Ye ◽  
Qing Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Earth’S Magnetosphere ◽  
Earth's Magnetosphere ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Open Magnetic Field

On the existence of transverse MHD oscillations in an inhomogeneous magnetoplasma

1990 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew N. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Background Field ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Field Perturbation ◽  
Independent Field ◽  
Background Magnetic Field ◽  
Field Geometry ◽  
Divergence Free ◽  
Field Lines

In a cold plasma with no compressional field perturbation the equations governing the two perpendicular components of magnetic-field perturbation decouple. These two equations depend only upon spatial derivatives along the background magnetic field, and give the impression of independent field-line motion in the two transverse directions. However, the perturbation magnetic field b must be divergence-free. It is not meaningful to ask if the field perturbation on an individual background line of force satisfies ∇. b = 0. To decide whether b is divergence-free, we need to know about its spatial variation, i.e. what the state of the neighbouring field lines is. In this paper we investigate two classes of solutions: first we allow the perturbation magnetic flux to satisfy ∇. b = 0 by threading across the background lines of force; the second solution closes b by allowing the perturbation flux to encircle the background field lines (torsional Alfvén waves). For both of these solutions we study the relationship between neighbouring field lines, and are able to derive a set of criteria that the background medium must satisfy. For both classes we find restrictions upon the background magnetic-field geometry - the first class also has a constraint upon the plasma density. The introduction of perfectly conducting massive boundaries is also considered, and a relation given that they must satisfy if the field perturbation is to remain transverse. The criteria are presented in such a manner that it is easy to test if a given medium will be able to support the solutions described above. For example, a three-dimensional dipolo geometry is able to carry oscillatory toroidal fields; but not purely poloidal ones or a torsional Alfvén wave.

Microinstabilities excited by energetic ring current protons

2003 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 383-395
Author(s):  
S. MOOLLA ◽  
R. BHARUTHRAM
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Waves ◽  
Ring Current ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Plasma Parameters ◽  
Earth’S Magnetosphere ◽  
Mode 2 ◽  
Resonant Instability ◽  
Earth's Magnetosphere ◽  
Current Region ◽  
Field Lines

It is well known that energetic protons having a ring-type, anisotropic velocity distribution can generate low-frequency electromagnetic waves, propagating nearly transverse to the geomagnetic field lines, in the ring current region of the Earth's magnetosphere by exciting mode 1 and mode 2 non-resonant instabilities and a resonant instability. In this paper, detailed investigations of the resonant and non-resonant instabilities are conducted as a function of plasma parameters such as ring speeds, electron temperatures, magnetic field strength and wave propagation directions. Our analysis is for parameters corresponding to the ring current region of the Earth's magnetosphere.

scholarly journals Conditions for double layers in the Earth's magnetosphere and perhaps in other astrophysical objects

1987 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-196
Author(s):  
L. R. Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Double Layers ◽  
Earth’S Magnetosphere ◽  
Current Voltage ◽  
Astrophysical Objects ◽  
Earth's Magnetosphere ◽  
Neutral Flow ◽  
Current Voltage Characteristics ◽  
Field Lines

Double layers (i.e., electric fields parallel to B) form along auroral field lines in the Earth's magnetosphere. They form in order to maintain current continuity in the ionosphere in the presence of a magnetospheric electric field E with ∇. E ≠ 0. Features which govern the formation of the double layers are: 1) the divergence of E; 2) the conductivity of the ionosphere; and 3) the current-voltage characteristics of auroral magnetic field lines. Astrophysical situations where ∇. E ≠ 0 is applied to a conducting plasma similar to the Earth's ionosphere are potential candidates for the formation of double layers. The region with ∇. E ≠ 0 can be generated within, or along field lines connected to, the conducting plasma. In addition to ∇. E, shear neutral flow in the conducting plasma can also form double layers.

Parametric excitation of magnetoacoustic waves by a pump magnetic field in a high-β plasma

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. F. Cramer
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Parametric Excitation ◽  
Acoustic Waves ◽  
Magnetic Pressure ◽  
Gas Pressure ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Fast Wave ◽  
Magnetoacoustic Waves ◽  
Background Magnetic Field ◽  
The Waves

The parametric excitation of slow, intermediate (Alfvén) and fast magneto-acoustic waves by a modulated spatially non-uniform magnetic field in a plasma with a finite ratio of gas pressure to magnetic pressure is considered. The waves are excited in pairs, either pairs of the same mode, or a pair of different modes. The growth rates of the instabilities are calculated and compared with the known result for the Alfvén wave in a zero gas pressure plasma. The only waves that are found not to be excited are the slow plus fast wave pair, and the intermediate plus slow or fast wave pair (unless the waves have a component of propagation direction perpendicular to both the background magnetic field and the direction of non-uniformity of the field).

scholarly journals The development of magnetic field line wander by plasma turbulence

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory G. Howes ◽  
Sofiane Bourouaine
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Field Line ◽  
Magnetic Field Line ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Plasma Turbulence ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Astrophysical Plasmas ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Plasma turbulence occurs ubiquitously in space and astrophysical plasmas, mediating the nonlinear transfer of energy from large-scale electromagnetic fields and plasma flows to small scales at which the energy may be ultimately converted to plasma heat. But plasma turbulence also generically leads to a tangling of the magnetic field that threads through the plasma. The resulting wander of the magnetic field lines may significantly impact a number of important physical processes, including the propagation of cosmic rays and energetic particles, confinement in magnetic fusion devices and the fundamental processes of turbulence, magnetic reconnection and particle acceleration. The various potential impacts of magnetic field line wander are reviewed in detail, and a number of important theoretical considerations are identified that may influence the development and saturation of magnetic field line wander in astrophysical plasma turbulence. The results of nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations of kinetic Alfvén wave turbulence of sub-ion length scales are evaluated to understand the development and saturation of the turbulent magnetic energy spectrum and of the magnetic field line wander. It is found that turbulent space and astrophysical plasmas are generally expected to contain a stochastic magnetic field due to the tangling of the field by strong plasma turbulence. Future work will explore how the saturated magnetic field line wander varies as a function of the amplitude of the plasma turbulence and the ratio of the thermal to magnetic pressure, known as the plasma beta.

scholarly journals Absence of a long-lived lunar paleomagnetosphere

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (32) ◽  
pp. eabi7647
Author(s):  
John A. Tarduno ◽  
Rory D. Cottrell ◽  
Kristin Lawrence ◽  
Richard K. Bono ◽  
Wentao Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Lunar Regolith ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Earth’S Magnetosphere ◽  
Solar Winds ◽  
Planetary Bodies ◽  
Earth's Magnetosphere ◽  
Impact Glass ◽  
Magnetic Inclusions

Determining the presence or absence of a past long-lived lunar magnetic field is crucial for understanding how the Moon’s interior and surface evolved. Here, we show that Apollo impact glass associated with a young 2 million–year–old crater records a strong Earth-like magnetization, providing evidence that impacts can impart intense signals to samples recovered from the Moon and other planetary bodies. Moreover, we show that silicate crystals bearing magnetic inclusions from Apollo samples formed at ∼3.9, 3.6, 3.3, and 3.2 billion years ago are capable of recording strong core dynamo–like fields but do not. Together, these data indicate that the Moon did not have a long-lived core dynamo. As a result, the Moon was not sheltered by a sustained paleomagnetosphere, and the lunar regolith should hold buried 3He, water, and other volatile resources acquired from solar winds and Earth’s magnetosphere over some 4 billion years.

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