Physics – Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
May 2004
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004georl..3109805s&link_type=abstract
Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 31, Issue 9, CiteID L09805
Physics
Plasma Physics
9
Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetotail, Space Plasma Physics: Magnetic Reconnection, Space Plasma Physics: Numerical Simulation Studies
Scientific paper
A generalization of the Harris [1962] model has recently been proposed to explain the multi-spacecraft Cluster observations of thin bifurcated current sheets. It utilizes features of the ion motion in thin sheets and assumes anisotropy of the ion species. We report the results of 2D PIC simulations based on this model. Simulations confirm its self-consistency. They also reveal the lower-hybrid drift instability at the edges of the thinned sheet and a transition to a new quasi-equilibrium state with a considerable contribution of electrons to the bifurcated current. This can be explained using a modification of the original equilibrium model that assumes a small electron anisotropy. At later time instabilities of both parities are detected inside the sheet. They have much larger wavelengths and end up with the kink-type flapping motions of the bifurcated sheet as a whole.
Drake James F.
Guzdar Parvez N.
Rogers Barrett N.
Sitnov Mikhail I.
Swisdak Michael
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