scholarly journals On the generation of solitary waves observed by Cluster in the near-Earth magnetosheath

2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Pickett ◽  
L.-J. Chen ◽  
S. W. Kahler ◽  
O. Santolík ◽  
M. L. Goldstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solitary Waves ◽  
Bow Shock ◽  
Generation Mechanism ◽  
Local Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Field Direction ◽  
Waveform Data ◽  
Background Magnetic Field ◽  
Ion Velocity ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Through case studies involving Cluster waveform observations, solitary waves in the form of bipolar and tripolar pulses have recently been found to be quite abundant in the near-Earth dayside magnetosheath. We expand on the results of those previous studies by examining the distribution of solitary waves from the bow shock to the magnetopause using Cluster waveform data. Cluster's orbit allows for the measurement of solitary waves in the magnetosheath from about 10 RE to 19.5 RE. Our results clearly show that within the magnetosheath, solitary waves are likely to be observed at any distance from the bow shock and that this distance has no dependence on the time durations and amplitudes of the solitary waves. In addition we have found that these same two quantities show no dependence on either the ion velocity or the angle between the ion velocity and the local magnetic field direction. These results point to the conclusion that the solitary waves are probably created locally in the magnetosheath at multiple locations, and that the generation mechanism is most likely not solely related to ion dynamics, if at all. To gain insight into a possible local generation mechanism, we have examined the electron differential energy flux characteristics parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field, as well as the local electron plasma and cyclotron frequencies and the type of bow shock that Cluster is behind, for several time intervals where solitary waves were observed in the magnetosheath. We have found that solitary waves are most likely to be observed when there are counterstreaming (~parallel and anti-parallel to the magnetic field) electrons at or below about 100eV. However, there are times when these counterstreaming electrons are present when solitary waves are not. During these times the background magnetic field strength is usually very low (<10nT), implying that the amplitudes of the solitary waves, if present, would be near or below those of other waves and electrostatic fluctuations in this region making it impossible to isolate or clearly distinguish them from these other emissions in the waveform data. Based on these results, we have concluded that some of the near-Earth magnetosheath solitary waves, perhaps in the form of electron phase-space holes, may be generated locally by a two-stream instability involving electrons based on the counterstreaming electrons that are often observed when solitary waves are present. We have not ruled out the possibility that the solitary waves could be generated as a result of the lower-hybrid Buneman instability in the presence of an electron beam, through the electron acoustic mode or through processes involving turbulence, which is almost always present in the magnetosheath, but these will be examined in a more comprehensive study in the future.

scholarly journals Solitary potential structures observed in the magnetosheath by the Cluster spacecraft

2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 3-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Pickett ◽  
J. D. Menietti ◽  
D. A. Gurnett ◽  
B. Tsurutani ◽  
P. M. Kintner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Time Series Data ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Bow Shock ◽  
Local Magnetic Field ◽  
Series Data ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Bipolar pulses of ~ 25-100 µs in duration have been observed in the wave electric field data obtained by the Wideband plasma wave instrument on the Cluster spacecraft in the dayside magnetosheath. These pulses are similar in almost all respects to those observed on several spacecraft over the last few years. They represent solitary potential structures, and in this case, electron phase space holes. When the time series data containing the bipolar pulses on Cluster are transformed to the frequency domain by a windowed FFT, the pulses appear as typical broad-band features, extending from the low-frequency cutoff of the bandpass filter, ~ 1 kHz, up to as great as 20-40 kHz in some cases, with decreasing intensity as the frequency increases. The upper frequency cutoff of the broad band is an indication of the individual pulse durations (1/f). The solitary potential structures are detected when the local magnetic field is contained primarily in the spin plane, indicating that they propagate along the magnetic field. Their frequency extent and intensity seem to increase as the angle between the directions of the magnetic field and the plasma flow decreases from 90°. Of major significance is the finding that the overall profile of the broad-band features observed simultaneously by two Cluster spacecraft, separated by a distance of over 750 km, are strikingly similar in terms of onset times, frequency extent, intensity, and termination. This implies that the generation region of the solitary potential structures observed in the magnetosheath near the bow shock is very large and may be located at or near the bow shock, or be connected with the bow shock in some way.

scholarly journals Magnetic clouds' structure in the magnetosheath as observed by Cluster and Geotail: four case studies

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 1247-1261 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Turc ◽  
D. Fontaine ◽  
P. Savoini ◽  
E. K. J. Kilpua
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Bow Shock ◽  
Field Direction ◽  
Magnetic Clouds ◽  
Magnetic Field Direction ◽  
Field Orientation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Magnetic clouds (MCs) are large-scale magnetic flux ropes ejected from the Sun into the interplanetary space. They play a central role in solar–terrestrial relations as they can efficiently drive magnetic activity in the near-Earth environment. Their impact on the Earth's magnetosphere is often attributed to the presence of southward magnetic fields inside the MC, as observed in the upstream solar wind. However, when they arrive in the vicinity of the Earth, MCs first encounter the bow shock, which is expected to modify their properties, including their magnetic field strength and direction. If these changes are significant, they can in turn affect the interaction of the MC with the magnetosphere. In this paper, we use data from the Cluster and Geotail spacecraft inside the magnetosheath and from the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) upstream of the Earth's environment to investigate the impact of the bow shock's crossing on the magnetic structure of MCs. Through four example MCs, we show that the evolution of the MC's structure from the solar wind to the magnetosheath differs largely from one event to another. The smooth rotation of the MC can either be preserved inside the magnetosheath, be modified, i.e. the magnetic field still rotates slowly but at different angles, or even disappear. The alteration of the magnetic field orientation across the bow shock can vary with time during the MC's passage and with the location inside the magnetosheath. We examine the conditions encountered at the bow shock from direct observations, when Cluster or Geotail cross it, or indirectly by applying a magnetosheath model. We obtain a good agreement between the observed and modelled magnetic field direction and shock configuration, which varies from quasi-perpendicular to quasi-parallel in our study. We find that the variations in the angle between the magnetic fields in the solar wind and in the magnetosheath are anti-correlated with the variations in the shock obliquity. When the shock is in a quasi-parallel regime, the magnetic field direction varies significantly from the solar wind to the magnetosheath. In such cases, the magnetic field reaching the magnetopause cannot be approximated by the upstream magnetic field. Therefore, it is important to take into account the conditions at the bow shock when estimating the impact of an MC with the Earth's environment because these conditions are crucial in determining the magnetosheath magnetic field, which then interacts with the magnetosphere.

scholarly journals Solitary waves observed in the auroral zone: the Cluster multi-spacecraft perspective

2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Pickett ◽  
S. W. Kahler ◽  
L.-J. Chen ◽  
R. L. Huff ◽  
O. Santolík ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solitary Waves ◽  
Correlation Study ◽  
Auroral Zone ◽  
Potential Change ◽  
Local Magnetic Field ◽  
Double Layers ◽  
Magnetic Field Direction ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Generation Mechanisms

Abstract. We report on recent measurements of solitary waves made by the Wideband Plasma Wave Receiver located on each of the four Cluster spacecraft at 4.5-6.5RE (well above the auroral acceleration region) as they cross field lines that map to the auroral zones. These solitary waves are observed in the Wideband data as isolated bipolar and tripolar waveforms. Examples of the two types of pulses are provided. The time durations of the majority of both types of solitary waves observed in this region range from about 0.3 up to 5ms. Their peak-to-peak amplitudes range from about 0.05 up to 20mV/m, with a few reaching up to almost 70mV/m. There is essentially no potential change across the bipolar pulses. There appears to be a small, measurable potential change, up to 0.5V, across the tripolar pulses, which is consistent with weak or hybrid double layers. A limited cross-spacecraft correlation study was carried out in order to identify the same solitary wave on more than one spacecraft. We found no convincing correlations of the bipolar solitary waves. In the two cases of possible correlation of the tripolar pulses, we found that the solitary waves are propagating at several hundred to a few thousand km/s and that they are possibly evolving (growing, decaying) as they propagate from one spacecraft to the next. Further, they have a perpendicular (to the magnetic field) width of 50km or greater and a parallel width of about 2-5km. We conclude, in general, however, that the Cluster spacecraft at separations along and perpendicular to the local magnetic field direction of tens of km and greater are too large to obtain positive correlations in this region. Looking at the macroscale of the auroral zone at 4.5-6.5RE, we find that the onsets of the broadband electrostatic noise associated with the solitary waves observed in the spectrograms of the WBD data are generally consistent with propagation of the solitary waves up the field lines (away from Earth), or with particles or waves propagating up the field line, which leads to local generation of the solitary waves all along the field lines. A discussion of the importance of these solitary waves in magnetospheric processes and their possible generation mechanisms, through electron beam instabilities and turbulence, is provided.

Cassini observations of magnetic holes in the solar wind and Saturn magnetosheath

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomas Karlsson ◽  
Lina Hadid ◽  
Michiko Morooka ◽  
Jan-Erik Wahlund
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Field Strength ◽  
Magnetic Field Strength ◽  
High Time Resolution ◽  
Magnetic Field Direction ◽  
Scale Size ◽  
Background Magnetic Field ◽  
Cycle Dependence ◽  
The Magnetic Field

&lt;p&gt;We present the first Cassini observations of magnetic holes on the near-Saturn solar wind and magnetosheath, based on data from the MAG magnetometer. We conclude that magnetic holes (defined as isolated decreases of at least 50% compared to the background magnetic field strength) are common in both regions. We present statistical properties of the magnetic holes, including scale size, depth of the magnetic field reduction, orientation, change in magnetic field direction over the holes, and solar cycle dependence. For magnetosheath magnetic holes, also high-time resolution density measurements from the LP Langmuir probe are available, allowing us to study the anti-correlation of density and magnetic field strength in the magnetic holes. We compare to recent results from MESSENGER observations from Mercury orbit, and finally discuss the possible importance of magnetic holes in solar wind-magnetosphere interaction at Saturn.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Isolated electrostatic structures observed throughout the Cluster orbit: relationship to magnetic field strength

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 2515-2523 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Pickett ◽  
L.-J. Chen ◽  
S. W. Kahler ◽  
O. Santolík ◽  
D. A. Gurnett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Field Strength ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Magnetic Field Strength ◽  
Local Magnetic Field ◽  
Unexpected Result ◽  
Time Duration ◽  
Waveform Data ◽  
Negative Peak ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Isolated electrostatic structures are observed throughout much of the 4RE by 19.6RE Cluster orbit. These structures are observed in the Wideband plasma wave instrument's waveform data as bipolar pulses (one positive and one negative peak in the electric field amplitude) and tripolar pulses (two positive and one negative peak, or vice versa). These structures are observed at all of the boundary layers, in the solar wind and magnetosheath, and along auroral field lines at 4.5-6.5RE. Using the Wideband waveform data from the various Cluster spacecraft we have carried out a survey of the amplitudes and time durations of these structures and how these quantities vary with the local magnetic field strength. Such a survey has not been carried out before, and it reveals certain characteristics of solitary structures in a finite magnetic field, a topic still inadequately addressed by theories. We find that there is a broad range of electric field amplitudes at any specific magnetic field strength, and there is a general trend for the electric field amplitudes to increase as the strength of the magnetic field increases over a range of 5 to 500nT. We provide a possible explanation for this trend that relates to the structures being Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal mode solitary waves. There is no corresponding dependence of the duration of the structures on the magnetic field strength, although a plot of these two quantities reveals the unexpected result that with the exception of the magnetosheath, all of the time durations for all of the other regions are comparable, whereas the magnetosheath time durations clearly are in a different category of much smaller time duration. We speculate that this implies that the structures are much smaller in size. The distinctly different pulse durations for the magnetosheath pulses indicate the possibility that the pulses are generated by a mechanism which is different from the mechanism operating in other regions.

scholarly journals Long, depolarising Hα-filament towards the Monogem ring

2020 ◽  
Vol 641 ◽  
pp. A121
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Reich ◽  
Patricia Reich ◽  
Xiaohui Sun
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Supernova Remnants ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Local Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Field Direction ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Rotation Measure ◽  
Far Ultraviolet ◽  
Screen Model ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Context. In soft X-rays, the Monogem ring is an object with a diameter of 25° located in the Galactic anti-centre. It is believed to be a faint, evolved, local supernova remnant. The ring is also visible in the far-ultraviolet, and a few optical filaments are related. It is not seen at radio wavelengths, as other large supernova remnants are. Aims. We study a narrow about 4.°5 long, faint Hα-filament, G203.7 + 11.5, that is seen towards the centre of the Monogem ring. It causes depolarisation and excessive Faraday rotation of radio polarisation data. Methods. Polarisation observations at λ11 cm and λ21 cm with the Effelsberg 100-m telescope were analysed in addition to WMAP data, extragalactic rotation measures, and Hα data. A Faraday-screen model was applied. Results. From the analysis of the depolarisation properties of the Hα filament, we derived a line-of-sight magnetic field, B||, of 26 ± 5 μG for a distance of 300 pc and an electron density, ne, of 1.6 cm−3. The absolute largest rotation measure of G203.7 + 11.5 is −86 ± 3 rad m−2, where the magnetic field direction has the opposite sign from the large-scale Galactic field. We estimated the average synchrotron emissivity at λ21 cm up to 300 pc distance towards G203.7 + 11.5 to about 1.1 K Tb/kpc, which is higher than typical Milky Way values. Conclusions. The magnetic field within G203.7 + 11.5 is unexpected in direction and strength. Most likely, the filament is related to the Monogem-ring shock, where interactions with ambient clouds may cause local magnetic field reversals. We confirm earlier findings of an enhanced but direction-dependent local synchrotron emissivity.

A 3 T superconducting magnet for long-run magnetic Compton-scattering experiments

1998 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 937-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuhiko Sakai ◽  
Hiroshi Ohkubo ◽  
Yasushi Nakamura
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Compton Scattering ◽  
Superconducting Magnet ◽  
Field Direction ◽  
Compton Profile ◽  
Magnetic Field Direction ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Radiation Shields ◽  
The Magnetic Field

A 3 T superconducting magnet has been designed and constructed for magnetic Compton-profile (MCP) measurements with the new capabilities that the magnetic field direction can be altered quickly (within 5 s) and liquid-He refill is not required for more than one week. For the latter capability, two refrigerators have been directly attached to the cryostat to maintain the low temperature of the radiation shields and for the recondensation of liquid He. The system has been satisfactorily operated for over one week.

scholarly journals Enhanced X-ray emission arising from laser-plasma confinement by a strong transverse magnetic field

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Evgeny D. Filippov ◽  
Sergey S. Makarov ◽  
Konstantin F. Burdonov ◽  
Weipeng Yao ◽  
Guilhem Revet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Transverse Magnetic ◽  
Radiative Properties ◽  
Magnetic Field Direction ◽  
Solid Target ◽  
Total Plasma ◽  
Plasma Confinement ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Magnetic Compression ◽  
The Magnetic Field

AbstractWe analyze, using experiments and 3D MHD numerical simulations, the dynamic and radiative properties of a plasma ablated by a laser (1 ns, 10$$^{12}$$ 12 –10$$^{13}$$ 13 W/cm$$^2$$ 2 ) from a solid target as it expands into a homogeneous, strong magnetic field (up to 30 T) that is transverse to its main expansion axis. We find that as early as 2 ns after the start of the expansion, the plasma becomes constrained by the magnetic field. As the magnetic field strength is increased, more plasma is confined close to the target and is heated by magnetic compression. We also observe that after $$\sim 8$$ ∼ 8  ns, the plasma is being overall shaped in a slab, with the plasma being compressed perpendicularly to the magnetic field, and being extended along the magnetic field direction. This dense slab rapidly expands into vacuum; however, it contains only $$\sim 2\%$$ ∼ 2 % of the total plasma. As a result of the higher density and increased heating of the plasma confined against the laser-irradiated solid target, there is a net enhancement of the total X-ray emissivity induced by the magnetization.

On the existence of compressional MHD oscillations in an inhomogeneous magnetoplasma

1990 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 361-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew N. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Wave Equation ◽  
Density Distribution ◽  
Cold Plasma ◽  
Wave Equations ◽  
Perturbation Field ◽  
Plasma Density Distribution ◽  
Background Magnetic Field ◽  
Transverse Fields ◽  
The Magnetic Field

In a cold plasma the wave equation for solely compressional magnetic field perturbations appears to decouple in any surface orthogonal to the background magnetic field. However, the compressional fields in any two of these surfaces are related to each other by the condition that the perturbation field b be divergence-free. Hence the wave equations in these surfaces are not truly decoupled from one another. If the two solutions happen to be ‘matched’ (i.e. V.b = 0) then the medium may execute a solely compressional oscillation. If the two solutions are unmatched then transverse fields must evolve. We consider two classes of compressional solutions and derive a set of criteria for when the medium will be able to support pure compressional field oscillations. These criteria relate to the geometry of the magnetic field and the plasma density distribution. We present the conditions in such a manner that it is easy to see if a given magnetoplasma is able to executive either of the compressional solutions we investigate.

scholarly journals Experimental and numerical investigation of plasma parameters in the magnetosheath

2018 ◽  
Vol 145 ◽  
pp. 03003
Author(s):  
Polya Dobreva ◽  
Monio Kartalev ◽  
Olga Nitcheva ◽  
Natalia Borodkova ◽  
Georgy Zastenker
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Numerical Investigation ◽  
Euler Equations ◽  
Ideal Gas ◽  
Bow Shock ◽  
Plasma Parameters ◽  
Wind Spacecraft ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Good Agreement

We investigate the behaviour of the plasma parameters in the magnetosheath in a case when Interball-1 satellite stayed in the magnetosheath, crossing the tail magnetopause. In our analysis we apply the numerical magnetosheath-magnetosphere model as a theoretical tool. The bow shock and the magnetopause are self-consistently determined in the process of the solution. The flow in the magnetosheath is governed by the Euler equations of compressible ideal gas. The magnetic field in the magnetosphere is calculated by a variant of the Tsyganenko model, modified to account for an asymmetric magnetopause. Also, the magnetopause currents in Tsyganenko model are replaced by numericaly calulated ones. Measurements from WIND spacecraft are used as a solar wind monitor. The results demonstrate a good agreement between the model-calculated and measured values of the parameters under investigation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document