Collisionless tearing in a field-reversed sheet pinch assuming nonparallel propagation

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA090iA02p01458· OSTI ID:5851796

Quest, K B; Coroniti, F V

We examine the linear stability properties of the collisionless tearing in a reversed-field sheet pinch assuming that k x Bnot = 0, where B is the equilibrium magnetic field. We show that currents are driven in the direction perpendicular to the sheet pinch, a consequence of the differing drift response of the protons and electrons. This current is closed by a component parallel to B, resulting in strong field-aligned currents concentrated near the null line. Momentum balance is used to infer the functional shape of the current system at the null line, and it is demonstrated that the external current system cannot be carried by those particles with orbits crossing the null line. The relevance of this analysis to reconnection at the dayside magnetopause is discussed.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico
• OSTI ID: 5851796
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 90:A2; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COLLISIONLESS PLASMA
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRON DRIFT
INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
ION DRIFT
MAGNETOPAUSE
MAGNETOSPHERE
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
TEARING INSTABILITY