Collisionless model of the solar wind in a spiral magnetic field
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Discipline
Physical sciences
Subject
Calculations
Electric potential
Electrons
Kinetic theory
Magnetic anisotropy
Magnetic fields
Mathematical models
Protons
Temperature
Velocity
Wind
Electric potential
Magnetic fields
Magnetism
Solar wind
Wind
Collisionless model
Kappa velocity distribution
Solar wind
Geomagnetism
Magnetoplasma
Collisionless
Interplanetary magnetic fields
Plasma parameter
Proton temperatures
Radial magnetic field
Solar wind speed
Spiral geometries
Spiral structures
magnetic field
solar wind
Audience
Scientific
Date
2001Metadata
Show full item recordDescription
We present a kinetic collisionless model of the solar wind generalized to take into account the spiral structure of the interplanetary magnetic field. This model, which also includes Kappa velocity distributions, calculates self-consistently the electric potential profile and derives the solar wind speed and the temperatures of the medium. We study how the inclusion of the spiral geometry changes the plasma parameters compared to the case of a radial magnetic field. Whereas the interplanetary electric potential, the wind density and bulk speed are not significantly changed, we show that the electron and proton temperatures are modified; in particular, we find a decrease of the proton temperature and of its anisotropy, and an increase of the electron temperature. We discuss these results and the validity of the model.
Citation
Pierrard, V.; Issautier, K.; Meyer-Vernet, N.; Lemaire, J. (2001). Collisionless model of the solar wind in a spiral magnetic field. , Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 28, Issue 2, 223-226, DOI: 10.1029/2000GL011888.Identifiers
scopus: 2-s2.0-0035862083
Type
Article
Peer-Review
Yes
Language
eng