Electrostatic effect for the collisionless tearing mode

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA092iA07p07368· OSTI ID:6288747

Hoshino, M

Electron dynamics has not been self-consistently considered in collisionless tearing mode theories to date because of the mathematical complexity of the Vlasov-Maxwell equations. We have found using computer simulations that electrostatic fields play an important role in the tearing mode. Vlasov theory, including the electrostatic field, is investigated for topologies with both antiparallel and nonantiparallel magnetic field lines. The electrostatic field influences the resonant current in the neutral sheet which is a non-MHD effect, and modifies the linear growth rate. At the magnetopause, where the field lines are not antiparallel, the electrostatic effect acts to raise the linear growth rate of the tearing mode. On the other hand, in the magnetotail, where magnetic field lines are antiparallel, the electrostatic effect reduces the tearing mode growth rate. copyright American Geophysical Union 1987

• Research Organization: Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Tokyo, Japan
• OSTI ID: 6288747
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 92:A7; 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
BOLTZMANN-VLASOV EQUATION
COLLISIONLESS PLASMA
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
EQUATIONS
INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
MAGNETOPAUSE
MAGNETOTAIL
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
SIMULATION
TEARING INSTABILITY