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    Electric potential differences across auroral generator interfaces

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    DeKeyser(2013b).pdf (1.500Mb)
    Authors
    De Keyser, J.
    Echim, M.
    Discipline
    Physical sciences
    Subject
    aurora
    density
    electric field
    magnetosphere
    plasma
    shear flow
    temperature
    Audience
    Scientific
    Date
    2013
    Metadata
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    Description
    Strong localized high-altitude auroral electric fields, such as those observed by Cluster, are often associated with magnetospheric interfaces. The type of high-altitude electric field profile (monopolar, bipolar, or more complicated) depends on the properties of the plasmas on either side of the interface, as well as on the total electric potential difference across the structure. The present paper explores the role of this cross-field electric potential difference in the situation where the interface is a tangential discontinuity. A self-consistent Vlasov description is used to determine the equilibrium configuration for different values of the transverse potential difference. A major observation is that there exist limits to the potential difference, beyond which no equilibrium configuration of the interface can be sustained. It is further demonstrated how the plasma densities and temperatures affect the type of electric field profile in the transition, with monopolar electric fields appearing primarily when the temperature contrast is large. These findings strongly support the observed association of monopolar fields with the plasma sheet boundary. The role of shear flow tangent to the interface is also examined.
    Citation
    De Keyser, J.; Echim, M. (2013). Electric potential differences across auroral generator interfaces. , Annales Geophysicae, Vol. 31, Issue 2, 251-261, DOI: 10.5194/angeo-31-251-2013.
    Identifiers
    uri: https://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/2922
    doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-251-2013
    scopus: 2-s2.0-84874353191
    Type
    Article
    Peer-Review
    Yes
    Language
    eng
    Links
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