A Drift‐Kinetic Method for Obtaining Gradients in Plasma Properties From Single‐Point Distribution Function Data

Journal Article · Sun Aug 02 00:00:00 EDT 2020 · Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA027965· OSTI ID:1644375

Wetherton, B. A.  ^[1]; Egedal, J.  ^[1]; Montag, P. K. ^[1]; Lê, A. ^[2]; Daughton, W. S.  ^[2]

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1. Department of Physics University of Wisconsin‐Madison Madison WI USA
2. Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos NM USA

Abstract In this paper, we derive a new drift‐kinetic method for estimating gradients in the plasma properties through a velocity space distribution at a single point. The gradients are intrinsically related to agyrotropic features of the distribution function. This method predicts the gradients in the magnetized distribution function and can predict gradients of arbitrary moments of the gyrotropic background distribution function. The method allows for estimates on density and pressure gradients on the scale of a Larmor radius, proving to resolve smaller scales than any method currently available to spacecraft. The model is verified with a set of fully kinetic VPIC particle‐in‐cell simulations.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: DE‐FG02‐97ER2530
• OSTI ID: 1644375
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics Vol. 125 Journal Issue: 8; ISSN 2169-9380
• Publisher: American Geophysical Union (AGU)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English