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Title: Kinetic model of force-free current sheets with non-uniform temperature

Abstract

The kinetic model of a one-dimensional force-free current sheet (CS) developed recently by Harrison and Neukirch [Phys. Rev. Lett. 102(13), 135003 (2009)] predicts uniform distributions of the plasma temperature and density across the CS. However, in realistic physical systems, inhomogeneities of these plasma parameters may arise quite naturally due to the boundary conditions or local plasma heating. Moreover, as the CS spatial scale becomes larger than the characteristic kinetic scales (the regime often referred to as the MHD limit), it should be possible to set arbitrary density and temperature profiles. Thus, an advanced model has to allow for inhomogeneities of the macroscopic plasma parameters across the CS, to be consistent with the MHD limit. In this paper, we generalise the kinetic model of a force-free current sheet, taking into account the inhomogeneity of the density and temperature across the CS. In the developed model, the density may either be enhanced or depleted in the CS central region. The temperature profile is prescribed by the density profile, keeping the plasma pressure uniform across the CS. All macroscopic parameters, as well as the distribution functions for the protons and electrons, are determined analytically. Applications of the developed model to current sheets observedmore » in space plasmas are discussed.« less

Authors:
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Centre for Fusion, Space and Astrophysics, Physics Department, University of Warwick, Coventry (United Kingdom)
  2. Space Research Institute, RAS, Moscow (Russian Federation)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22489854
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Physics of Plasmas
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 22; Journal Issue: 11; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; BOUNDARY CONDITIONS; DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS; ELECTRON TEMPERATURE; ELECTRONS; ION TEMPERATURE; KINETIC EQUATIONS; MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS; ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS; PLASMA DENSITY; PLASMA HEATING; PLASMA PRESSURE; PROTONS; SHEETS

Citation Formats

Kolotkov, D. Y., Nakariakov, V. M., and Vasko, I. Y. Kinetic model of force-free current sheets with non-uniform temperature. United States: N. p., 2015. Web. doi:10.1063/1.4935488.
Kolotkov, D. Y., Nakariakov, V. M., & Vasko, I. Y. Kinetic model of force-free current sheets with non-uniform temperature. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4935488
Kolotkov, D. Y., Nakariakov, V. M., and Vasko, I. Y. 2015. "Kinetic model of force-free current sheets with non-uniform temperature". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4935488.
@article{osti_22489854,
title = {Kinetic model of force-free current sheets with non-uniform temperature},
author = {Kolotkov, D. Y. and Nakariakov, V. M. and Vasko, I. Y.},
abstractNote = {The kinetic model of a one-dimensional force-free current sheet (CS) developed recently by Harrison and Neukirch [Phys. Rev. Lett. 102(13), 135003 (2009)] predicts uniform distributions of the plasma temperature and density across the CS. However, in realistic physical systems, inhomogeneities of these plasma parameters may arise quite naturally due to the boundary conditions or local plasma heating. Moreover, as the CS spatial scale becomes larger than the characteristic kinetic scales (the regime often referred to as the MHD limit), it should be possible to set arbitrary density and temperature profiles. Thus, an advanced model has to allow for inhomogeneities of the macroscopic plasma parameters across the CS, to be consistent with the MHD limit. In this paper, we generalise the kinetic model of a force-free current sheet, taking into account the inhomogeneity of the density and temperature across the CS. In the developed model, the density may either be enhanced or depleted in the CS central region. The temperature profile is prescribed by the density profile, keeping the plasma pressure uniform across the CS. All macroscopic parameters, as well as the distribution functions for the protons and electrons, are determined analytically. Applications of the developed model to current sheets observed in space plasmas are discussed.},
doi = {10.1063/1.4935488},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22489854}, journal = {Physics of Plasmas},
issn = {1070-664X},
number = 11,
volume = 22,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2015},
month = {Sun Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2015}
}