Particle Simulation of Auroral Double Layers

Abstract

Externally driven magnetic reconnection has been proposed as a possible mechanism for production of auroral electrons during magnetic substorms. Fluid simulations of magnetic reconnection lead to strong plasma flows towards the increasing magnetic field of the earth. These plasma flows must generate large scale potential drops to preserve global charge neutrality. We have examined currentless injection of plasma along a dipole magnetic field into a bounded region using both analytic techniques and particle simulation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA258577

Entities

People

  • Bruce L. Smith

Organizations

  • Princeton University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Charged Particles
  • Convection
  • Difference Equations
  • Electron Energy
  • Electrons
  • Energy
  • Grids
  • Kinetic Energy
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Magnetic Moments
  • Plasma Jets
  • Plasma Sheaths
  • Plasmas (Physics)
  • Simulations
  • Solar Activity
  • Solar Wind
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics