On the structure of azimuthally small-scale ulf oscillations of a hot space plasma in a curved magnetic field: Modes with discrete spectra

Abstract

A one-dimensional inhomogeneous cylindrical plasma model with the magnetic field, whose field lines are concentric circles and the equilibrium parameters of the magnetic field and a medium change across magnetic shells, has been considered. In the scope of this model, it has been indicated that Alfven modes can have discrete spectra. Such modes originate when resonators exist across magnetic shells, which can be implemented in the ring current area or near the outer edge of the plasmapause. The characteristics of the implementation of the modes with discrete spectra have been studied. The results are compared with the satellite observations. It has been concluded that poloidallypolarized pulsations in the Earth’s magnetosphere are largely oscillations with discrete spectra. It has been shown that the proposed model, which does not consider many properties of the magnetosphere, makes it possible to explain the main features in the experimentally observed generation of azimuthal small-scale ULF oscillations in the near-Earth plasma. The results can be used to interpret the satellite and SuperDARN radar measurements.