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Title: A statistical model of magnetic islands in a current layer

Abstract

This letter describes a statistical model of the dynamics of magnetic islands in very large current layers that develop in space plasma. Two parameters characterize the island distribution: the flux psi contained in the island and the area A it encloses. The integrodifferential evolution equation for this distribution function is based on rules that govern the small-scale generation of secondary islands, the rates of island growth, and island merging. The numerical solutions of this equation produce island distributions relevant to the magnetosphere and solar corona. The solution of a differential equation for large islands explicitly shows the role merging plays in island growth.

Authors:
; ;  [1]
  1. Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-3511 (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
21344639
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Physics of Plasmas
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 17; Journal Issue: 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3286437; (c) 2010 American Institute of Physics; Journal ID: ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS; DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS; INTEGRO-DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS; MAGNETIC ISLANDS; NUMERICAL SOLUTION; PLASMA; PLASMA SIMULATION; SOLAR CORONA; STATISTICAL MODELS; STELLAR MAGNETOSPHERES; ATMOSPHERES; EQUATIONS; FUNCTIONS; MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS; MATHEMATICAL MODELS; MATHEMATICAL SOLUTIONS; SIMULATION; SOLAR ATMOSPHERE; STELLAR ATMOSPHERES; STELLAR CORONAE

Citation Formats

Fermo, R L, Drake, J F, and Swisdak, M. A statistical model of magnetic islands in a current layer. United States: N. p., 2010. Web. doi:10.1063/1.3286437.
Fermo, R L, Drake, J F, & Swisdak, M. A statistical model of magnetic islands in a current layer. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3286437
Fermo, R L, Drake, J F, and Swisdak, M. 2010. "A statistical model of magnetic islands in a current layer". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3286437.
@article{osti_21344639,
title = {A statistical model of magnetic islands in a current layer},
author = {Fermo, R L and Drake, J F and Swisdak, M},
abstractNote = {This letter describes a statistical model of the dynamics of magnetic islands in very large current layers that develop in space plasma. Two parameters characterize the island distribution: the flux psi contained in the island and the area A it encloses. The integrodifferential evolution equation for this distribution function is based on rules that govern the small-scale generation of secondary islands, the rates of island growth, and island merging. The numerical solutions of this equation produce island distributions relevant to the magnetosphere and solar corona. The solution of a differential equation for large islands explicitly shows the role merging plays in island growth.},
doi = {10.1063/1.3286437},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/21344639}, journal = {Physics of Plasmas},
issn = {1070-664X},
number = 1,
volume = 17,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2010},
month = {Fri Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2010}
}