IDEALISED PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE MOTION OF CYLINDRICAL PLASMA SHEETS IN A MAGNETIC FIELD, WITH APPLICATIONS OF GEOPHYSICAL INTEREST,
Abstract
In a system with radial cylindrical symmetry of cylindrical polar coordinates a cylindrical plasma sheet of infinite electrical conductivity is projected from infinity towards a magnetic field with both axial and toroidal components. An inner, currentbearing plasma sheet, initially in equilibrium, also forms part of the system and influences the motion of the outer plasma sheet. The interaction of the oncoming sheet with this 'ring current' is studied and applications are made to problems of geophysical interest. In particular, the shape of the transient hollow formed in the approaching plasma stream is obtained. A different model, in which the inner, current-bearing sheet is fixed and gives rise to a magnetic field which behaves like that due to a dipole at large distances, is also considered. The effect of the ring current is found to be more pronounced in this case. The hollows obtained are compared with that due to BEARD (1960) and with recent satellite results, and it is suggested that centrifugal effects should be included in computations of the geomagnetic hollow. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0628320
Entities
People
- Angela M. Downs
Organizations
- University of Sheffield