Abstract
AbstractWe use kappa distributions to model thousands of ion and electron flux spectra along the plasma sheet and analyze the variation of the spectral index κ and the temperature T in this region. We find that κ distributions are ubiquitous and fit well ion and electron flux spectra during quiet times, and during the expansion and recovery phases of substorms. Near Earth, and up to ∼12 RE, the κ indices are different than the rest of the plasma sheet, both for ions (κi) and electrons (κe). There is a significant dawn‐dusk asymmetry in κi toward the tail, which is enhanced during substorms. The ions also exhibit a permanent temperature asymmetry, determined by a colder dawnside. The whole tail becomes hotter during substorms, but it appears that most of the energy is deposited near Earth.
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