A radiating one-dimensional current sheet configuration

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993 · Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/93JA01011· OSTI ID:86350

Pritchett, P L; Coroniti, F V ^[1]

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1. Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)

The structure of the x-independent (one-dimensional) forced current sheet including a self-consistent B{sub y} component is investigated for the case of small normal field component, B{sub z}/B{sub o} {much_lt} 1. A hybrid (kinetic ions, massless fluid electrons) simulation model is used to demonstrate that such a current sheet has a time-dependent structure which radiates incompressible Alfven waves with amplitude of the order of the asymptotic (lobe) field strength B{sub o}. The central density enhancement acts as the source of a propagating wavetrain in which B{sub x} rotates into B{sub y} and back again. One of the characteristic signatures of the radiating current sheet is the presence of a reversal in B{sub x} (or B{sub y}) without a corresponding increase in density. 25 refs., 8 figs.

• OSTI ID: 86350
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 98, Issue A9; Other Information: PBD: 1 Sep 1993
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
PLASMA SHEET
STABILITY
SIMULATION
ALFVEN WAVES
EMISSION
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
MAGNETOTAIL