Magnetic fluctuations associated with field-aligned striations

Journal Article · Fri Mar 15 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Geophysical Research Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/96GL00302· OSTI ID:245173

Maggs, J E; Morales, G J ^[1]

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1. Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)

In a laboratory experiment modeling conditions in the natural auroral ionosphere, magnetic and density fluctuations are observed to grow spontaneously within a field aligned density depletion. The plasma has both cross-field pressure gradients and magnetically field-aligned currents. The magnetic fluctuations, identified as shear Alfven waves, are coupled with the density fluctuations depending upon the plasma beta, {beta}. The fluctuations exhibit a coherent eigenmode structure at higher {beta} and evolve towards broadband Alfven turbulence as {beta} is lowered. The authors identify the cross field pressure gradient as the dominant driving source for the fluctuations. 15 refs., 5 fig.

• OSTI ID: 245173
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 23; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
ALFVEN WAVES
AURORAL ZONES
FLUCTUATIONS
IONOSPHERE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA PRESSURE
PRESSURE GRADIENTS
STRIATIONS