Dielectric currents in the low-latitude boundary layer and geomagnetic tail
We consider a collisionless plasma with E (the electric field) parallel to the y-axis of a cartesian frame of reference and B (the magnetic induction) parallel to the z- axis. When there is a gradient, orthogonal to B, of the quantity epsilonE/sup 2/, where epsilon = 1+4..pi.. rho/sub m/ c/sup 2//B/sup 2/, where rho/sub m/ is the plasma mass density and c the speed of light, there is driven a (dielectric) current ( j) given in the following two cases, by j = (del(epsilonE/sup 2/))c/B. (i) When del(epsilonE/sup 2/) is parallel to E, j is in the direction of E x B, and (ii) when del(epsilonE/sup 2/) is in the direction E x B, j is in the direction of E. In the former cases it follows that, in a steady state, p/sub perpendicular/+B/sup 2//8..pi..-epsilonE/sup 2//8..pi.. = constant along a line in the y-direction, and in the latter case p/sub perpendicular/ +B/sup 2//8..pi..+epsilonE/sup 2//8..pi.. = constant on a line in the x-direction where p/sub perpendicular/ is the pressure perpendicular to B. The currents related to epsilonE/sup 2/ are geophysically significant in the region of interaction of the solar wind and geomagnetic field in the low latitude boundary layer and geomagnetic tail. The last written equation enables a realistic estimate of the croos-tail electric field to be made.
- Research Organization:
- Laboratory for Planetary Atmospheres NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD 20771
- OSTI ID:
- 5737510
- Journal Information:
- Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 10:6; ISSN GPRLA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BOUNDARY LAYERS
COLLISIONLESS PLASMA
CURRENTS
DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
LAYERS
MAGNETOSPHERE
MAGNETOTAIL
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA