Resonant Alfven wave heating of the plasma sheet boundary layer

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA095iA09p15039· OSTI ID:5370951

Harrold, B G; Goertz, C K; Smith, R A; Hansen, P J ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City (USA)

The exchange of energy between the plasma mantle and the plasma sheet boundary layer (PSBL) is examined with a one-dimensional magnetotail model. The energy exchange occurs via Poynting flux generated by the localized mode conversion of a surface wave to an Alfven wave. This Poynting flux propagates through the lobe and into the PSBL where it is absorbed by two processes. The first arises from a gradient in the plasma {beta} causing a smooth absorption of Poynting flux. The second process results from the localized mode conversion of the decaying surface wave to an Alfven wave, causing a localized absorption of energy. A numerical solution of the linearized ideal MHD equations is obtained by assuming an adiabatic equation of state. The energy flux absorbed within the PSBL is of the order of 1 {mu}W/m{sup 2} (assuming a fluid displacement of 1 R{sub E} at the plasma mantle) and varies with central plasma sheet temperature in a manner capable of triggering a thermal catastrophe in the boundary layer.

• OSTI ID: 5370951
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 95:A9; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ADIABATIC PROCESSES
ALFVEN WAVES
BOUNDARY LAYERS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS OF STATE
HEATING
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
IONOSPHERE
LAYERS
MAGNETIC BAYS
MAGNETOPAUSE
MAGNETOSHEATH
MAGNETOTAIL
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MODE CONVERSION
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA HEATING
PLASMA SHEET
POYNTING THEOREM
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
WAVE EQUATIONS
WAVE PROPAGATION