Crescent-shaped electron velocity distribution functions formed at the edges of plasma jets interacting with a tangential discontinuity
| dc.contributor.author | Voitcu, G. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Echim, M. | |
| dc.date | 2018 | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2018-11-15T20:12:53Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2018-11-15T20:12:53Z | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/7141 | |
| dc.description | In this paper we discuss numerical simulations that illustrate a physical mechanism leading to the formation of crescent-shaped electron velocity distribution functions at the edges of a high-speed plasma jet impacting on a thin, steep and impenetrable tangential discontinuity with no magnetic shear. We use three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations to compute the velocity distribution function of electrons in different areas of the plasma jet and at different phases of the interaction with the discontinuity. The simulation set-up corresponds to an idealized, yet relevant, magnetic configuration likely to be observed at the frontside magnetopause under the northward interplanetary magnetic field. The combined effect of the gradient-B drift and the remote sensing of large Larmor radius electrons leads to the formation of crescent-shaped electron velocity distribution functions. We provide examples of such distributions "measured" by a virtual satellite launched into the simulation domain. | |
| dc.language | eng | |
| dc.title | Crescent-shaped electron velocity distribution functions formed at the edges of plasma jets interacting with a tangential discontinuity | |
| dc.type | Article | |
| dc.subject.frascati | Physical sciences | |
| dc.audience | Scientific | |
| dc.source.title | Annales Geophysicae | |
| dc.source.volume | 36 | |
| dc.source.issue | 6 | |
| dc.source.page | 1521-1535 | |
| Orfeo.peerreviewed | Yes | |
| dc.identifier.doi | 10.5194/angeo-36-1521-2018 |
