Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 1976
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1976stin...7733011h&link_type=abstract
Unknown
Physics
Plasma Diffusion, Plasma Interactions, Turbulent Diffusion, Cusps (Landforms), Diffusion Coefficient, Heos A Satellite, Magnetohydrodynamic Stability, Magnetopause, Polar Regions, Satellite Observation
Scientific paper
First, estimates for the thickness of the Chapman-Ferraro current layer, delta, and the diffusion coefficient, D, resulting from current-driven anomalous resistivity were derived. The basis of the estimate is a drift velocity of ions and electrons above the instability threshold and a maximum possible merging rate. 1.2 km < delta < 20 km and 0.9 X 10 to the 12th power sq cm/sec < D < 1.5 X 10 to the 13th power sq cm/sec were found. Specific processes which may apply are ion acoustic and electron-cyclotron turbulence. Nonlinear saturation levels of these processes yield D approximately 10 to the 12th power sq cm/sec, in agreement with the first estimate, and predict narrow current sheets with widths only slightly above the electron inertial length c/omegape. The role of MHD instabilities in this context is briefly touched. In the second part, evidence for eddy convection in the polar cusp region and its possible consequences for the mass transport into the magnetosphere and for merging are discussed. It is suggested that reconnection is not a laminar flow process occurring mainly at the nose of the magnetosphere as in the classical picture, but that it is rather a by-product of eddy convection in the polar cusps. The eddy diffusion coefficient derived from observations was estimated to be Deddy approximately 5 X 10 to the 14th power sq cm/sec. Several microscopic processes that could account for viscous dissipation of the eddies and reconnection are briefly discussed. The latter process would have spatial scales of several 1000 km and would be highly fluctuating in time with a typical period of a few tens of seconds.
No associations
LandOfFree
Microscopic plasma processes related to reconnection does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Microscopic plasma processes related to reconnection, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Microscopic plasma processes related to reconnection will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1053458