Regions Of Magnetosphere Research Articles

Nonlinear evolution of ion acoustic solitary waves in space plasmas: Fluid and particle‐in‐cell simulations

AbstractSpacecraft observations revealed the presence of electrostatic solitary waves (ESWs) in various regions of the Earth's magnetosphere. Over the years, many researchers have attempted to model these observations in terms of electron/ion acoustic solitary waves by using nonlinear fluid theory/simulations. The ESW structures predicted by fluid models can be inadequate due to its inability in handling kinetic effects. To provide clear view on the application of the fluid and kinetic treatments in modeling the ESWs, we perform both fluid and particle‐in‐cell (PIC) simulations of ion acoustic solitary waves (IASWs) and estimate the quantitative differences in their characteristics like speed, amplitude, and width. We find that the number of trapped electrons in the wave potential is higher for the IASW, which are generated by large‐amplitude initial density perturbation (IDP). The present fluid and PIC simulation results are in close agreement for small amplitude IDPs, whereas for large IDPs they show discrepancy in the amplitude, width, and speed of the IASW, which is attributed to negligence of kinetic effects in the former approach. The speed of IASW in the fluid simulations increases with the increase of IASW amplitude, while the reverse tendency is seen in the PIC simulation. The present study suggests that the fluid treatment is appropriate when the magnitude of phase velocity of IASW is less than the ion acoustic (IA) speed obtained from their linear dispersion relation, whereas when it exceeds IA speed, it is necessary to include the kinetic effects in the model.

Local time variations in Jupiter's magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling system

AbstractThe ionization of neutral material ejected by Jupiter's volcanically active moon, Io, results in a plasma disc that extends from Io's orbit out through the Jovian magnetosphere. This magnetospheric plasma is coupled to the planetary ionosphere via currents which flow along the magnetic field. Inside of ∼40 RJ, these currents transfer angular momentum from the planet to the magnetospheric plasma, in an attempt to keep the plasma rigidly corotating with the planet. Jupiter's main auroral emission is a signature of this current system. To date, one‐dimensional models of Jupiter's magnetosphere‐ionosphere (M‐I) coupling have either assumed a dipole field or used a field description appropriate to the postmidnight region of the Jovian magnetosphere. Vogt et al. (2011) described the variation of the N‐S component of the magnetic field in the center of the current sheet, BN, with local time and radius. We apply a 1‐D model of Jupiter's M‐I current system every hour in local time using a modified description of the Vogt et al. (2011) magnetic field to investigate how local time variations in the magnetosphere affect the auroral currents and plasma angular velocity. Our model predicts the strongest aurora at dawn, with a minimum in the auroral currents existing from noon through dusk. This is a few hours duskward of the discontinuity predicted by Radioti et al. (2008). While our model predictions are consistent with some of the observations, future MI coupling models must account for the azimuthal bendback in the magnetic field.

Scaled Experiment to Investigate Auroral Kilometric Radiation Mechanisms in the Presence of Background Electrons

Auroral Kilometric Radiation (AKR) emissions occur at frequencies ~300kHz polarised in the X-mode with efficiencies ~1-2% [1,2] in the auroral density cavity in the polar regions of the Earth's magnetosphere, a region of low density plasma ~3200km above the Earth's surface, where electrons are accelerated down towards the Earth whilst undergoing magnetic compression. As a result of this magnetic compression the electrons acquire a horseshoe distribution function in velocity space. Previous theoretical studies have predicted that this distribution is capable of driving the cyclotron maser instability. To test this theory a scaled laboratory experiment was constructed to replicate this phenomenon in a controlled environment, [3-5] whilst 2D and 3D simulations are also being conducted to predict the experimental radiation power and mode, [6-9]. The experiment operates in the microwave frequency regime and incorporates a region of increasing magnetic field as found at the Earth's pole using magnet solenoids to encase the cylindrical interaction waveguide through which an initially rectilinear electron beam (12A) was accelerated by a 75keV pulse. Experimental results showed evidence of the formation of the horseshoe distribution function. The radiation was produced in the near cut-off TE01 mode, comparable with X-mode characteristics, at 4.42GHz. Peak microwave output power was measured ~35kW and peak efficiency of emission ~2%, [3]. A Penning trap was constructed and inserted into the interaction waveguide to enable generation of a background plasma which would lead to closer comparisons with the magnetospheric conditions. Initial design and measurements are presented showing the principle features of the new geometry.

Dynamics of the Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Nonlinear Solitary Structures in the Inner Magnetosphere

The nonlinear interaction of the electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) frequency waves with plasma particles in the inner magnetosphere is studied. The emission is considered to be circularly polarized electromagnetic waves propagating along the almost constant dipole geomagnetic field in the equatorial region of the inner magnetosphere. Under the action of the ion cyclotron ponderomotive force excitation of the magnetosonic waves through the amplitude modulation of the EMIC waves is investigated. Two dimensional nonlinear Schrodinger equation for the EMIC waves is derived. In the stationary case two solutions of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation with distinct natures are found. The generation of both vortices and of a quasistatic magnetic field across the geomagnetic field lines is discussed.

GENERATION MECHANISM OF THE SLOWLY DRIFTING NARROWBAND STRUCTURE IN THE TYPE IV SOLAR RADIO BURSTS OBSERVED BY AMATERAS

We investigate the type IV burst event observed by AMATERAS on 2011 June 7, and reveal that the main component of the burst was emitted from the plasmoid eruption identified in the EUV images of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)/AIA. We show that a slowly drifting narrowband structure (SDNS) appeared in the burst's spectra. Using statistical analysis, we reveal that the SDNS appeared for a duration of tens to hundreds of milliseconds and had a typical bandwidth of 3 MHz. To explain the mechanism generating the SDNS, we propose wave-wave coupling between Langmuir waves and whistler-mode chorus emissions generated in a post-flare loop, which were inferred from the similarities in the plasma environments of a post-flare loop and the equatorial region of Earth's inner magnetosphere. We assume that a chorus element with a rising tone is generated at the top of a post-flare loop. Using the magnetic field and plasma density models, we quantitatively estimate the expected duration of radio emissions generated from coupling between Langmuir waves and chorus emissions during their propagation in the post-flare loop, and we find that the observed duration and bandwidth properties of the SDNS are consistently explained by the proposed generation mechanism. While observations in the terrestrial magnetosphere show that the chorus emissions are a group of large-amplitude wave elements generated naturally and intermittently, the mechanism proposed in the present study can explain both the intermittency and the frequency drift in the observed spectra.

High and low frequency instabilities driven by counter-streaming electron beams in space plasmas

A four-component plasma composed of a drifting (parallel to ambient magnetic field) population of warm electrons, drifting (anti-parallel to ambient magnetic field) cool electrons, stationary hot electrons, and thermal ions is studied in an attempt to further our understanding of the excitation mechanisms of broadband electrostatic noise (BEN) in the Earth's magnetospheric regions such as the magnetosheath, plasmasphere, and plasma sheet boundary layer (PSBL). Using kinetic theory, beam-driven electrostatic instabilities such as the ion-acoustic, electron-acoustic instabilities are found to be supported in our multi-component model. The dependence of the instability growth rates and real frequencies on various plasma parameters such as beam speed, number density, temperature, and temperature anisotropy of the counter-streaming (relative to ambient magnetic field) cool electron beam are investigated. It is found that the number density of the anti-field aligned cool electron beam and drift speed play a central role in determining which instability is excited. Using plasma parameters which are closely correlated with the measurements made by the Cluster satellites in the PSBL region, we find that the electron-acoustic and ion-acoustic instabilities could account for the generation of BEN in this region.

Solar wind control of auroral Alfvénic power generated in the magnetotail

The effects of solar wind driving conditions on the polar distribution of large‐scale, nondispersive Alfvénic Poynting flux at low altitude during steady magnetosphere convections are studied using three‐dimensional global simulations of the solar wind‐magnetosphere‐ionosphere interaction. Results from 18 test simulations driven by steady upstream solar wind (SW) and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions are used to investigate the relationship between SW/IMF driving and low‐altitude signatures of large‐scale Alfvénic Poynting flux. When the IMF is southward, the intensity of the Alfvénic Poynting flux increases, and the hemispheric integrated Alfvénic Poynting flux exhibits a linear relation with the SW electric field. When the IMF has a By component, the simulated hemispheric Alfvénic power does not fit to the same linear relation. During steady IMF By driving conditions, the low‐altitude regions with enhanced Alfvénic Poynting flux are magnetically connected with magnetospheric dynamo regions on both open and closed field lines. The physical origin of low‐altitude Alfvénic Poynting flux connecting to the closed field line region is similar with that during southward IMF Bz driving. However, the Alfvénic Poynting flux flowing from the open field line dynamo region may be related to the physical process on the magnetopause, and only shear‐mode waves are generated.

Three‐dimensional MHD simulation of FTEs produced by merging at an isolated point in a sheared magnetic field configuration

We present predictions for the evolution of FTEs generated by localized bursts of reconnection on a planar magnetopause that separates a magnetosheath region of high densities and weak magnetic field from a magnetospheric region of low densities and strong magnetic field. The magnetic fields present a shear angle of 105 degrees. Reconnection forms a pair of FTEs each crossing the magnetopause in the field reversal region and bulging into the magnetosphere and magnetosheath. At their initial stage they can be characterized as flux tubes since the newly reconnected magnetic field lines are not twisted. Reconnection launches Alfvenic perturbations that propagate along the FTEs generating high‐speed jets, which move the pair of FTEs in opposite directions. As the FTE moves, it displaces the ambient magnetic field and plasma producing bipolar magnetic field and plasma velocity signatures normal to the nominal magnetopause in the regions surrounding the FTE. The combination of the ambient plasma with the FTE flows generates a vortical velocity pattern around the reconnected field lines. During its evolution the FTE evolves to a flux rope configuration due to the twist of the magnetic field lines. The alfvenic perturbations propagate faster along the part of the FTE bulging into the magnetosphere than in the magnetosheath, and due to the differences between the plasma and magnetic field properties the perturbations have slightly different signatures in the two regions. As a consequence, the FTEs have different signatures depending on whether the satellite encounters the part bulging into the magnetosphere or into the magnetosheath.

Non-thermal emissions from accreting X-ray binary pulsars

We study non-thermal emissions from cascade processes in accreting X-ray binary pulsars. In the framework of the magnetospheric gap model, we consider three photon fields, which are respectively from the polar cap of a pulsar, its surrounding accretion disk and a massive companion star with a circumstellar disk, to shield the gap. The gap-accelerated ultra-relativistic electrons emit high-energy photons via curvature radiation and an inverse Compton scattering process, in which part of these high-energy photons absorbed by interactions with the surrounding photon fields can facilitate the following electromagnetic cascades. We first carry out numerical calculations of the cascade processes in order to obtain the predicted emission spectra. As an example, we subsequently apply this model to reproduce observations of LS I +61° 303. We find that the results can fit observations ranging from hard X-ray to γ-ray bands. In particular, they can explain the spectral cutoff feature at a few GeV. Finally, we suggest that the emissions detected by the Fermi Large Area Telescope from X-ray binary pulsars originate in the magnetosphere region of the pulsar.

Hydrogen lines as a diagnostic tool for studying multicomponent emitting regions in hot young stars: magnetosphere, X-wind, and disk wind

Infrared interferometric observations with high spatial and spectral resolution and their quantitative modeling provide us with a unique opportunity to improve our understanding of the circumstellar environment of young stars and the accretion-ejection process. The goal of this paper is to investigate various models of the emitting regions in young Herbig Ae/Be stars that consist of (i) a compact rotating magnetosphere; (ii) an X-wind; and (iii) a disk wind. These models can be used, for example, to quantitatively interpret line profile measurements and infrared interferometric observations with the AMBER instrument of the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) in the high spectral resolution mode (R = 12 000). VLTI/AMBER observations allow us to resolve the disk wind region and study the flux contribution of the unresolved magnetosphere and X-wind region to the total line flux. Analyzing the results of our nonLTE calculations, we conclude that the mechanisms of the different broadening of emission lines of different series include (1) the kinematic expansion due to the motion of the outflowing, accelerating gas in the magneto-centrifugal disk wind; (2) the Stark effect; and (3) the rotation of the magnetosphere. We also investigated extinction effects that can influence the shape of the line profiles. We considered the obscuration of the outer disk wind by an opaque dust and gas disk, the obscuration of the disk wind by a flared disk or by dust in the disk wind itself, and absorption of the star and disk continuum radiation in the disk wind along the line of sight. We show that due to extinction effects, the line profiles can change from double-peaked to single-peaked and P Cygni profiles. We studied the contribution of the different components of the stellar environment to different hydrogen emission lines and investigated how this contribution is dependent on the model parameters. The results of this study can be used for the detailed modeling of the emitting regions of individual young stars.

Plasma convection in the nightside magnetosphere of Saturn determined from energetic ion anisotropies

The Cassini Ion and Neutral Camera measures intensities of hydrogen and oxygen ions and neutral atoms in the Saturnian magnetosphere and beyond. We use the measured intensity spectrum and anisotropy of energetic hydrogen and oxygen ions to detect, qualify, and quantify plasma convection. We find that the plasma azimuthal convection speed relative to the local rigid corotation speed decreases with radial distance, lagging the planetary rotation rate, and has no significant local time dependences. Plasma in the dusk-midnight quadrant sub-corotates at a large fraction of the rigid corotation speed, with the primary velocity being azimuthal but with a distinct radially outward component. The duskside velocities are similar to those obtained from earlier orbits in the midnight-dawn sector, in contrast to the depressed velocities measured at Jupiter using Energetic Particles Detector measurements on the Galileo spacecraft in the dusk-midnight quadrant. We find significant radial outflow in most of the nightside region. The radial component of the flow decreases with increasing local time in the midnight-dawn sector and reverses as dawn is approached. This and previous results are consistent with a plasma disk undergoing a centrifugally induced expansion as it emerges into the nightside, while maintaining partial rotation with the planet. The magnetodisk expansion continues as plasma rotates across the tail to the dawnside. We do not see evidence in the convection pattern for steady state reconnection in Saturn's magnetotail. The outermost region of the magnetodisk, having undergone expansion upon emerging from the dayside magnetopause confinement, is unlikely to recirculate back into the dayside. We conclude that plasma in the outer magnetodisk [at either planet] rotates from the dayside, expands at the dusk flank, but remains magnetically connected to the respective planet while moving across the tail until it interacts with and is entrained into the dawnside magnetosheath flow. This interaction causes plasma in the outer magnetospheric regions of Jupiter and Saturn to decouple from the planet and exhaust tailward down a dawnside low latitude boundary layer. Magnetospheric plasma will also interact with the dayside magnetosheath plasma, moving across the boundary [enhanced by shear instability] and into the magnetosheath, where it is lost to the magnetosphere with the magnetosheath flow.

Magnetic turbulence in the cusp region: 3D spectra and vortex cascades

Cluster satellite measurements that were carried out in the region of the altitudinal cusp in the Earth's magnetosphere and adjacent regions were processed to yield the dynamic pattern of the 3D spectra of magnetic field oscillations in the space of wave vectors, with wave numbers ranging from 0.002 to 0.5 rad/km. The anisotropic properties of space spectra that are functions of the mean plasma parameters are studied. The role of the ion cyclotron resonances and the resonance related to the ion inertial length is shown. The vortex structures detected in the cusp and adjacent regions are described. The issue concerning in what directions turbulent energy is primarily transferred in the physical space.

The influence of the inclination of the accretor’s magnetic axis on the accretion-disk structure in intermediate polars

Typical changes of the accretion-disk structures in intermediate polars are studied as a function of the inclination of the accretor’s magnetic field. Thre-dimensional numerical modeling was performed for seven differentmagnetic-axis inclinations. The results showthat the system forms a magnetosphere region, and that column accretion occurs. The action of the magnetic field tilts the inner parts of the disk along the magnetic axis of the accretor. The magnetic-field inclination appreciably influences matter transfer in the disk and accretion processes. Generation of toroidal magnetic field, magnetic braking, and alignment of the dipole magnetic field result in oscillations of the accretion rate. A direct relationship between the field inclination and the oscillation amplitude is found, as well as an inverse relationship between the field inclination and the oscillation period.

Current-driven solitons and shocks in plasmas having non-Maxwellian electrons

The current-driven electrostatic solitons and shocks are investigated in flowing plasmas having stationary dust and non-Maxwellian electrons. The propagation of solar wind parallel to the external magnetic field in the boundary regions of dusty magnetospheres of planets can give rise to drift type unstable electrostatic waves and nonlinear structures even if density is homogeneous. These waves can be produced in laboratory plasma experiments as well. Here the theoretical model is applied to Saturn’s magnetosphere.

Electron bulk heating in magnetic reconnection at Earth's magnetopause: Dependence on the inflow Alfvén speed and magnetic shear

AbstractWe surveyed 79 magnetopause reconnection exhausts detected by the THEMIS spacecraft to investigate how the amount and anisotropy of electron bulk heating produced by reconnection depend on the inflow boundary conditions. We find that the amount of heating, ΔTe, is correlated with the asymmetric Alfvén speed, VAL,asym, based on the reconnecting magnetic field and the plasma density measured in both the high‐density magnetosheath and low‐density magnetospheric inflow regions. Best fit to the data produces the empirical relation ΔTe = 0.017 miVAL,asym2, indicating that the amount of heating is proportional to the inflowing magnetic energy per proton‐electron pair, with ~1.7% of the energy being converted into electron heating. This finding, generalized to symmetric reconnection, could account for the lack of electron heating in typical solar wind exhausts at 1 AU, as well as strong heating to keV energies common in magnetotail exhausts. We also find that the guide field suppresses perpendicular heating.

Decametric modulation lanes as a probe for inner jovian magnetosphere

We use the specific scintillations of jovian decametric radio sources (modulation lanes), which are produced by plasma inhomogeneities in the vicinity of that planet, to probe the inner magnetosphere of Jupiter. The positions and frequency drift of 1762 lanes have been measured on the DAM spectra from archives. A special 3D algorithm is used for space localization of field-aligned magnetospheric inhomogeneities by the frequency drift of modulation lanes. As a result, the main regions of the lane formation are found: the Io plasma torus; the magnetic shell of the Gossamer Ring at Thebe and Amalthea orbits; and the region above the magnetic anomaly in the northern magnetosphere. It is shown that modulation lanes reveal the depleted magnetic tubes in practically unvisited, innermost regions of the jovian magnetosphere. The local and probably temporal plasma enhancement is found at the magnetic shell of Thebe satellite. Hence, the modulation lanes are a valuable instrument for remote sensing of those parts of jovian magnetosphere, which are not studied yet in situ.

Links between the plasmapause and the radiation belt boundaries as observed by the instruments CIS, RAPID, and WHISPER onboard Cluster

In the present work, we study the relations between the position of the plasmapause and the position of the radiation belt boundaries. The Cluster mission offers the exceptional opportunity to analyze those different regions of the inner magnetosphere with identical sensors on multiple spacecraft. We compare the positions of the radiation belt edges deduced from CIS (Cluster Ion Spectrometry) observations (electrons with energy >2 MeV) with the positions of the plasmapause derived from WHISPER (Waves of HIgh frequency and Sounder for Probing of the Electron density by Relaxation) data (electron plasma frequency). In addition, we compare those results with the edges positions determined from RAPID (Research with Adaptive Particle Imaging Detectors) observations (electrons with energy between 244.1 and 406.5keV). The period of 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2009 has been chosen for the analysis because at that time Cluster's perigee was located at lower radial distances than during the earlier part of the mission. The perigee was then as close as 2 RE, deep inside the plasmasphere and the radiation belts. This time period corresponds to a long solar activity minimum. Differences are observed between the radiation belt boundary positions obtained from the two different instruments: The radiation belt positions are related to the energy bands. The results show that the plasmapause position is more variable than the radiation belt boundary positions, especially during small geomagnetic activity enhancements. A correspondence is observed between the plasmapause position determined by WHISPER and the outer edge of the outer radiation belt of energetic electrons (>2 MeV) observed by CIS. This result is unexpected since previous studies based on other spacecraft observations indicated a correlation between the inner edge of the outer belt and the plasmapause. However, during higher geomagnetic activity time periods, the plasmapause is located closer to the inner boundary of the outer radiation belt. Also, the thickness of the slot region is found to follow the global evolution of the geomagnetic activity.

Dust-acoustic solitary waves in a dusty plasma with dust of opposite polarity and vortex-like ion distribution

AbstractThe nonlinear propagation of small but finite-amplitude dust-acoustic solitary waves in an unmagnetized, collisionless dusty plasma has been investigated. The fluid model is a generalization to the model of Mamun and Shukla to a more realistic space dusty plasma in different regions of space, viz., cometary tails, mesosphere, and Jupiter's magnetosphere, by considering a four-component dusty plasma consisting of the charged dusty plasma of opposite polarity, isothermal electrons and vortex-like ion distributions in the ambient plasma. A reductive perturbation method was employed to obtain a modified Korteweg–de Vries equation for the first-order potential. The effect of the presence of a positively charged dust fluid, the specific charge ratio μ, the temperature of the positively charged dust fluid, the ratio of constant temperature of free hot ions and the constant temperature of trapped ions, and ion temperature on the soliton properties and dusty grains energy are discussed.

The plasma density distribution in the inner region of Saturn's magnetosphere

Electron density measurements derived from the upper hybrid resonance frequency have been obtained from the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Science experiment over a 7 year period from 28 October 2004 through 7 November 2011. Additional density measurements inside the orbit of Enceladus and outside the orbit of Rhea have made it possible to expand a previously published density model to radial distances from 2.6 to 10.0 Saturnian radii (RS). The distribution of density data is compared to a simple scale height density model for a single‐species plasma within 8° of the magnetic equatorial plane. There is a broad peak in the equatorial density distribution between 4 RS and 5 RS with the plasma falling off both inward and outward from the peak region. The radial dependence of the equatorial density profile varies as R4.0 from 2.6 RS to 4 RS and as R–4.8 from 5 RS to 10 RS. The plasma distribution outside 5 RS remains consistent with earlier density models but additional density measurements inside 4 RS provide information on the plasma distribution in this inner region that will be the focus of the F‐Ring and proximal orbits near the end of the Cassini mission.

Planetary period magnetic field oscillations in Saturn's magnetosphere: Postequinox abrupt nonmonotonic transitions to northern system dominance

We examine the “planetary period” magnetic field oscillations observed in the “core” region of Saturn's magnetosphere (dipole L ≤ 12), on 56 near‐equatorial Cassini periapsis passes that took place between vernal equinox in August 2009 and November 2012. Previous studies have shown that these consist of the sum of two oscillations related to the northern and southern polar regions having differing amplitudes and periods that had reached near‐equal amplitudes and near‐converged periods ~10.68 h in the interval to ~1 year after equinox. The present analysis shows that an interval of strongly differing behavior then began ~1.5 years after equinox, in which abrupt changes in properties took place at ~6‐ to 8‐month intervals, with three clear transitions occurring in February 2011, August 2011, and April 2012, respectively. These are characterized by large simultaneous changes in the amplitudes of the two systems, together with small changes in period about otherwise near‐constant values of ~10.63 h for the northern system and ~10.69 h for the southern (thus, not reversed postequinox) and on occasion jumps in phase. The first transition produced a resumption of strong southern system dominance unexpected under northern spring conditions, while the second introduced comparably strong northern system dominance for the first time in these data. The third resulted in suppression of all core oscillations followed by re‐emergence of both systems on a time scale of ~85 days, with the northern system remaining dominant but not as strongly as before. This behavior poses interesting questions for presently proposed theoretical scenarios.