Kinetic simulation of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability at the Venus ionopause

Journal Article · Thu Oct 31 23:00:00 EST 1991 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/91GL02552· OSTI ID:7206182

Thomas, V A; Winske, D ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)

Two dimensional hybrid simulations with particle ions and fluid electrons are used to calculate the kinetic evolution of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability at a boundary similar to the ionopause at the planet Venus. The magnetic field has been chosen to be essentially transverse to the plasma flow velocity, which is the most unstable case for the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. Effects analogous to those found in MHD simulations are recovered, including a mode cascade to longer wavelengths. In addition, isolated structures on the order of the ion gyroradium are formed which can cross the boundary in either direction. These structures may be related to flux ropes commonly observed near the ionopause of Venus. The time evolution of these structures may represent transport across the boundary layers and the smearing of the shear layer may give rise to internal structure in the boundary. Similar processes occur in magnetized layers skin to the Earth's magnetopause.

• OSTI ID: 7206182
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 18:11; ISSN GPRLA; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661300* -- Other Aspects of Physical Science-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BOUNDARY LAYERS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
EARTH PLANET
HELMHOLTZ INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY
LAYERS
MAGNETOPAUSE
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLANETS
PLASMA DRIFT
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
SHEAR
SIMULATION
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
VENUS PLANET