Observations and theory of the AMPTE magnetotail barium releases

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA092iA06p05777· OSTI ID:5940709

Bernhardt, P A; Roussel-Dupre, R A; Pongratz, M B ^[1]; Haerendel, G; Valenzuela, A ^[2]; Gurnett, D A; Anderson, R R ^[3]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
2. Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Physik und Astrophysik, Muenchen (West Germany)
3. Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City (United States)

The barium releases in the magnetotail during the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE) operation were monitored by ground-base imagers and by instruments on the Ion Release Module. After each release, the data show the formation of a structured diamagnetic pressure on its surface. The magnetic field inside the cavity is zero. The barium ions collect on the surface of the cavity, producing a shell. Plasma irregularities form along magnetic field lines draped over the surface of the cavity. The scale size of the irregularities is nearly equal to the thickness of the shell. The evolution and structuring of the diamagnetic cavity are modeled using magnetohydrodynamics theory.

• OSTI ID: 5940709
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 92:A6; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661320* -- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ATOMS
BARIUM
BEAM INJECTION
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DIMENSIONS
DRIFT INSTABILITY
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ELEMENTS
EXPANSION
INSTABILITY
IONIZATION
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOTAIL
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METALS
MONITORING
NEUTRAL ATOM BEAM INJECTION
PHOTOIONIZATION
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
THICKNESS
VELOCITY