Measurement of the transpolar potential in laboratory magnetosphere

Abstract

Results of measurements of the transpolar potential in a laboratory magnetosphere are presented. Its approximately linear dependence on the kinetic energy of ions of the incoming flow is found. The measurements of the electric potential in plasma have shown the presence of an asymmetry along the dawn-dusk line. Near the boundary layer at the dawn side, the potential is systematically higher than the average values, while at the dusk side it is systematically lower. The observed difference in the plasma potential in the lowlatitude equatorial part of the magnetosphere by its sign and magnitude approximately corresponds to the transpolar potential at the poles of a dipole. The obtained laboratory data give a direct confirmation of the magnetospheric generator model.