Assessments of Magnetic Reconnection and Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability at Ganymede's Upstream Magnetopause

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nawapat Kaweeyanun ◽  
Adam Masters ◽  
Xianzhe Jia
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Reconnection ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Helmholtz Instability ◽  
Reconnection Rate ◽  
Permanent Magnetic Field ◽  
Field Orientation ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
Energy Flows ◽  
Flr Effects

<p>Ganymede is the largest moon of Jupiter and the only Solar System moon known to generate a permanent magnetic field. Motions of Jupiter’s magnetospheric plasma around Ganymede create an upstream magnetopause, where energy flows are thought to be driven by magnetic reconnection and/or Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability (KHI). Previous numerical simulations of Ganymede indicate evidence for transient reconnection events and KHI wave structures, but the natures of both processes remain poorly understood. Here we present an analytical model of steady-state conditions at Ganymede’s magnetopause, from which we conduct first assessments of reconnection and KHI onset criteria at the boundary. We find that reconnection may occur wherever Ganymede’s closed magnetic field encounters Jupiter’s ambient magnetic field, regardless of variations in magnetopause conditions. Unrestricted reconnection onset highlights possibilities for multiple X-lines or widespread transient reconnection at Ganymede. The reconnection rate is controlled by the ambient Jovian field orientation and hence driven by Jupiter’s rotation. We also determine Ganymede’s magnetopause conditions to be favorable for KHI wave growths in two confined regions each along a magnetopause flank, both of which grow in area whenever Ganymede moves toward Jupiter’s magnetospheric current sheet. KHI growth rates are calculated with the Finite Larmor Radius (FLR) effects incorporated and found to be asymmetric favoring the magnetopause flank closest to Jupiter. The significance of KHI wave growth on energy flows at Ganymede’s magnetopause remains to be investigated. Future progress on both topics is highly relevant for the upcoming JUpiter ICy moon Explorer (JUICE) mission.</p>

scholarly journals Diffusion at the Earth magnetopause: enhancement by Kelvin-Helmholtz instability

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 271-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Smets ◽  
G. Belmont ◽  
D. Delcourt ◽  
L. Rezeau
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Distribution Functions ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Simple Analytical Model ◽  
Helmholtz Instability ◽  
Field Reversal ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Specific Distribution ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Using hybrid simulations, we examine how particles can diffuse across the Earth's magnetopause because of finite Larmor radius effects. We focus on tangential discontinuities and consider a reversal of the magnetic field that closely models the magnetopause under southward interplanetary magnetic field. When the Larmor radius is on the order of the field reversal thickness, we show that particles can cross the discontinuity. We also show that with a realistic initial shear flow, a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability develops that increases the efficiency of the crossing process. We investigate the distribution functions of the transmitted ions and demonstrate that they are structured according to a D-shape. It accordingly appears that magnetic reconnection at the magnetopause is not the only process that leads to such specific distribution functions. A simple analytical model that describes the built-up of these functions is proposed.

Evolution of nonlinear magnetosonic waves propagating obliquely to an external magnetic field in a collisionless plasma

2000 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
DEBALINA CHAKRABORTY ◽  
K. P. DAS
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Hall Current ◽  
Collisionless Plasma ◽  
Momentum Equation ◽  
Finite Amplitude ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
Petviashvili Equation ◽  
Flr Effects ◽  
External Uniform Magnetic Field

It is shown that the asymptotic evolution of finite-amplitude magnetosonic waves propagating obliquely to an external uniform magnetic field in a warm homogeneous plasma is governed by a Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation having an extra dispersive term. The dispersion is provided by finite-Larmor-radius (FLR) effects in the momentum equation and by the Hall-current and electron-pressure corrections in the generalized Ohm's law. A double-layer-type solution of the equation is obtained, and the equation is shown to reduce to a KdV–Burgers equation under certain assumptions.

Evolution of nonlinear Alfvén waves propagating along the magnetic field in a collisionless plasma

1982 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 459-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Khanna ◽  
R. Rajaram
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Collisionless Plasma ◽  
Momentum Equation ◽  
Finite Amplitude ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Mhd Waves ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
Flr Effects ◽  
The Magnetic Field

It is shown that the asymptotic evolution of a finite-amplitude Alfvén wave propagating parallel to the uniform magnetic field in a warm homogeneous collisionless plasma is governed by the modified nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The dispersion is provided by the ion finite Larmor radius (FLR) effects in the momentum equation and the Hall current and electron pressure corrections to the generalized Ohm's law. In the cold plasma limit the equations reduce to those available in the literature. It is suggested that these calculations can have a bearing on the investigation of the structure of MHD waves in the solar wind.

Effect of finite ion Larmor radius on the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability

1978 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirosh Nagano
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Flow Velocity ◽  
Wave Vector ◽  
Uniform Magnetic Field ◽  
Critical Value ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Helmholtz Instability ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
Compressible Plasma ◽  
The Difference

The effect of finite ion Larmor radius on the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability is investigated in the cases of an incompressible and a compressible plasma. When a wave vector is perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field, the effect of finite Larmor radius (FLR) stabilizes perturbations with a wavenumber exceeding a critical value, while there exists another case that the FLR effect destabilizes still more than the usual MHD approximation. The difference between these cases is decided from the configuration of flow velocity and magnetic field. When a wave vector is parallel to a magnetic field, the FLR effect tends to stabilize perturbations with a larger wavenumber.

scholarly journals Escape of high-energy oxygen ions through magnetopause reconnection under northward IMF

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 3955-3966 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kasahara ◽  
H. Hasegawa ◽  
K. Keika ◽  
Y. Miyashita ◽  
M. N. Nishino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Reconnection ◽  
Recovery Phase ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Closed Field ◽  
Escape Route ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
Oxygen Ions ◽  
Field Lines

Abstract. During a storm recovery phase on 15 May 2005, the Geotail spacecraft repeatedly observed high-energy (>180 keV) oxygen ions in the dayside magnetosheath near the equatorial plane. We focused on the time period from 11:20 UT to 13:00 UT, when Geotail observed the oxygen ions and the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) was constantly northward. The magnetic reconnection occurrence northward and duskward of Geotail is indicated by the Walén analysis and convective flows in the magnetopause boundary layer. Anisotropic pitch angle distributions of ions suggest that high-energy oxygen ions escaped from the northward of Geotail along the reconnected magnetic field lines. From the low-energy particle precipitation in the polar cap observed by DMSP, which is consistent with magnetic reconnection occurring between the magnetosheath field lines and the magnetospheric closed field lines, we conclude that these oxygen ions are of ring current origin. Our results thus suggest a new escape route of oxygen ions during northward IMF. In the present event, this escape mechanism is more dominant than the leakage via the finite Larmor radius effect across the dayside equatorial magnetopause.

Hydromagnetic Kelvin-Heimholtz Instability in the Presence of Suspended Particles and Finite Larmor Radius Effect

1994 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
pp. 1102-1110 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. Sanghvi ◽  
R. K. Chhajlani
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Uniform Magnetic Field ◽  
Suspended Particles ◽  
Linear Analysis ◽  
Wave Number ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Helmholtz Instability ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
Simplifying Assumptions ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract A linear analysis of the combined influence of a finite ion Larmor radius and suspended particles on Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in the presence of a uniform magnetic field is carried out. The magnetic field is assumed to be uniform and transverse to the direction of streaming. The medium is assumed to be incompressible. Certain simplifying assumptions are made for the motion of the suspended particles. A dispersion relation for such a medium has been obtained using appropriate boundary conditions. The stabilizing effect of a finite Larmor radius has been reasserted in the absence of the suspended particles. A stability criterion for the medium is derived, which is found to be independent of the presence of the suspended particles. Similarly a condition of instability of the system is also derived. Numerical analysis is presented in a few limiting cases of interest. Furthermore, growth rates of unstable modes of the configuration with increasing relaxation fre­quency of the particles and finite Larmor radius have been evaluated analytically. It is shown that the finite Larmor radius in the presence of the suspended particles destabilizes a certain wave number band which is stable otherwise. Implications of the suspended particles on the growth rate of unstable modes are discussed in the limit of vanishing ion Larmor radius.

The microinstabilities of a high-β plasma flow with a non-uniform velocity profile

1980 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. Mikhailovskii ◽  
V. A. Klimenko
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
High Pressure ◽  
Velocity Profile ◽  
Kinetic Analysis ◽  
Plasma Flow ◽  
Large Family ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Helmholtz Instability ◽  
Uniform Velocity ◽  
Pressure Plasma

The microinstabilities of a high-pressure plasma moving along a magnetic field with a non-uniform velocity profile are investigated. A similar problem was studied earlier by Dobrowolny on the basis of hydromagnetic equations with an oblique viscosity tensor. The present paper, unlike Dobrowolny's work, gives a kinetic analysis. Perturbations with transverse wavelength both larger and smaller than the ion Larmor radius are considered. The analysis indicates that there is a large family of microinstabilities of the ‘drift’ type whose mechanism differs from the classical Kelvin–Helmholtz instability.

Rayleigh-Taylor Instability of a Stratified Plasma

1974 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 518-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Boussinesq Approximation ◽  
Short Wave ◽  
Taylor Instability ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
Wave Disturbances ◽  
Magnetic Field Gradients ◽  
Rayleigh Taylor Instability ◽  
The Magnetic Field

We have investigated the effect of finite Larmor radius on the Rayleigh-Taylor instability of a semi-infinite, compressible, stratified and infinitely conducting plasma. The plasma is assumed to have a one dimensional density and magnetic field gradients. The eigenvalue problem has been solved under Boussinesq approximation for disturbances parallel to the magnetic field. It has been established that for perturbation parallel to the magnetic field, the system is stable for both stable and unstable stratification. For perturbation perpendicular to the magnetic field, the problem has been solved without Boussinesq approximation. The dispersion relation has been discussed in the two limiting cases, the short and long wave disturbances. It has been observed that the gyroviscosity has a destabilizing influence from k = 0 to k = 4.5 for ß* = 0.1 and for ß* = 0.1 up to k* = 2.85 and then onwards it acts as a stabilizing agent. It has a damping effect on the short wave disturbances. For some parameters, the largets imaginary part has been shown in Figs. 1 and 2

Effect of Finite Larmor Radius on the Rayleigh-Taylor Instability of Two Component Magnetized Rotating Plasma

1998 ◽  
Vol 53 (12) ◽  
pp. 937-944 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. Sharma ◽  
R. K. Chhajlani
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Growth Rate ◽  
Normal Mode Analysis ◽  
Mode Analysis ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Horizontal Magnetic Field ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
Neutral Particles ◽  
Rayleigh Taylor Instability ◽  
Superposed Fluids

Abstract The Rayleigh-Taylor (R-T) instability of two superposed plasmas, consisting of interacting ions and neutrals, in a horizontal magnetic field is investigated. The usual magnetohydrodynamic equations, including the permeability of the medium, are modified for finite Larmor radius (FLR) corrections. From the relevant linearized perturbation equations, using normal mode analysis, the dispersion relation for the two superposed fluids of different densities is derived. This relation shows that the growth rate unstability is reduced due to FLR corrections, rotation and the presence of neutrals. The horizontal magnetic field plays no role in the R-T instability. The R-T instability is discussed for various simplified configurations. It remains unaffected by the permeability of the porous medium, presence of neutral particles and rotation. The effect of different factors on the growth rate of R-T instability is investigated using numerical analysis. Corresponding graphs are plotted for showing the effect of these factors on the growth of the R-T instability.

On the structure of collisionless waves

1969 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 673-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
James B. Fedele
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Applied Magnetic Field ◽  
Small Amplitude ◽  
Single Mode ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Collisionless Shock ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
First Order ◽  
Pulse Solution ◽  
Solitary Pulse

Small amplitude waves and collisionless shock waves are investigated within the framework of the first-order Chew—Goldberger—Low equations. For linearized oscillations, two modes are present for propagation along an applied magnetic field. One is an acoustic type which contains no finite Larmor radius effects. The other which contains the ‘fire hose’ instability in its lowest order terms, does possess finite Larmor radius corrections. These corrections, however, do not produce instabilities or dissipation. There are no finite Larmor radius corrections to the single mode present for propagation normal to the applied magnetic field. Normal shock structure is investigated, but it is shown that jump solutions do not exist. An analytic solitary pulse solution is found and is compared with the Adlam—Allen pulse solution.

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