Energization of ions in near-Earth current sheet disruptions

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Geophysical Research Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/94GL03384· OSTI ID:183357

Taktakishvili, A ^[1]; Lopez, R E; Goodrich, C C ^[2]

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1. Abastumani Astrophysical Lab., Tibilisi, (Russian Federation)
2. Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD (United States)

In this study the authors examine observations made by AMPTE/CCE of energetic ion bursts during seven substorm periods when the satellite was located near the neutral sheet, and CCE observed the disruption cross-tail current in situ. They compare ion observations to analytic calculations of particle acceleration. They find that the acceleration region size, which they assume to be essentially the current disruption region, to be on the order of 1R{sub E}. Events exhibiting weak acceleration had either relatively small acceleration regions (apparently associated with pseudobreakup activity on the ground) or relatively small changes in the local magnetic field (suggesting that the magnitude of the local current disruption was limited). These results add additional support for the view that the particle bursts observed during turbulent current sheet disruptions are due to inductive acceleration of ions. 17 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 183357
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 22; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
IONS
MAGNETIC STORMS
ORIGIN
PLASMA DISRUPTION
PLASMA SHEET
TAIL IONS