Physics
Scientific paper
Jan 1994
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994jgr....9913437w&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research (ISSN 0148-0227), vol. 99, no. A7, p. 13,437-13,454
Physics
25
Boundary Layer Plasmas, Current Sheets, Geomagnetism, Magnetic Field Reconnection, Magnetopause, Magnetosheath, Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling, Interplanetary Magnetic Fields, Magnetohydrodynamics, Polar Substorms, Solar Terrestrial Interactions
Scientific paper
The dynamics of critical magnetospheric boundary regions is examined through combined particle and fluid simulations. The particle simulations focus on the dynamics of the magnetopause whose structure is shown to be determined by the differential penetration of magnetosheath ions and electrons. The magnetosheath electrons with their small gyroradius have only limited penetration and give rise to a sharp peak in the current density, producing a well-defined magnetopause current sheet. The magnetosheath ions penetrate further, where they intermix with magnetospheric plasma producing the magnetopause boundary layer. An ambipolar electric field is set up by this differential penetration which draws some of the magnetospheric ions out into the current layer and beyond. In addition, the ambipolar electric field sets up surface currents along the flanks of the magnetopause. These surface currents and their analogues in the magnetotail are shown to play a major role. These surface currents which are neglected in present MHD treatments are explicitly included in a modified set of single fluid equations, called magnetoplasma dynamics (MPD). The MPD description is able to remove the need for assuming an artificial resistivity while, at the same time providing, a comprehensive description of the currents that map into the ionosphere as well as the various current sheets attached to the different magnetospheric boundary layers.
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