Global asymptotic equilibria and collisionless tearing stability of magnetotail plasmas

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/93JA01153· OSTI ID:146571

Wang, X; Bhattacharjee, A ^[1]

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1. Columbia Univ., New York, NY (United States)

Asymptotic tail equilibria which are slowly varying in the Earth-Sun direction are constructed, including all three components of the magnetic field. These equilibria allow for spatial dependencies in B{sub n} and B{sub y}. Some of these equilibria are analyzed for stability with respect to collisionless electron tearing modes using a fluid model which predicts, to within a numerical factor of {pi}{sup 1/2}, the growth rates derived from kinetic theory. No ion tearing instability is found. The B{sub y} field is demonstrated to have a destabilizing effect on electron tearing modes. In the asymptotic equilibria considered here, electron tearing modes can grow in the presence of B{sub y} in those regions where the stabilizing effect of electron bounce is small. Implications for numerical simulations and observations are discussed. 56 refs., 1 fig.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 146571
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research Journal Issue: A11 Vol. 98; ISSN JGREA2; ISSN 0148-0227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
MAGNETOTAIL
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
TEARING INSTABILITY