Electrostatic turbulence in the earth's central plasma sheet produced by multiple-ring ion distributions

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/91JA02582· OSTI ID:5447642

Huba, J D; Chen, J ^[1]; Anderson, R R ^[2]

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1. Naval Research Lab., Washington, DC (United States)
2. Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City (United States)

A mechanism to generate a broad spectrum of electrostatic turbulence in the quiet time central plasma sheet (CPS) plasma is discussed. The authors show theoretically that multiple-ring ion distributions can generate short-wavelength (k{lambda}{sub de} {approx lt} 1), electrostatic turbulence with frequencies {omega} {approx lt} kV{sub j}, where V{sub j} is the velocity of the jth ring. Using a set of parameters from measurements made in the CPS, they find that electrostatic turbulence can be generated with wavenumbers 10{sup {minus}2} {approx lt} k{lambda}{sub de} {approx lt} 1.0, and with real frequencies in the range 0 < {omega}{sub r}/{omega}{sub pi} < 10, and linear growth rates {gamma}/{omega}{sub pi} > 0.01 over a broad range of angles relative to the magnetic field (5{degree} < {theta} {le} 90{degree}). The fastest growing modes are caused by an ion ring drift instability and occur for nearly parallel propagating modes (5{degree} < {theta} < 10{degree}) with {omega}{sub r} {approx lt} {omega}{sub pi} at wavelengths comparable to the electron Debye length. They also find that lower hybrid waves and electron cyclotron waves can be excited for nearly perpendicular propagating modes ({theta} {approx equal} 90{degree}). They compare these theoretical results with wave data from ISEE 1 using an ion distribution function exhibiting multiple-ring structures with wave data from ISEE 1 using an ion distribution function exhibiting multiple-ring structures observed at the same time. The theoretical results in the linear regime are found to be consistent with the wave data. Finally, they discuss these results in relation to nonlinear particle dynamics in the CPS which can generate the multiple-ring ion distributions.

• OSTI ID: 5447642
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 97:A2; ISSN JGREA; ISSN 0148-0227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661320* -- Auroral
Ionospheric
&amp; Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CHARGED PARTICLES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CYCLOTRON FREQUENCY
DEBYE LENGTH
DIMENSIONS
DISTRIBUTION
DRIFT INSTABILITY
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ELECTRON PLASMA WAVES
EVALUATION
INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
IONS
LENGTH
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
PLASMA SHEET
PLASMA WAVES
SATELLITES
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION