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Slow convection of a magnetized plasma and the earth plasma sheet

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Abstract

Stationary convection of an isotropic, infinitely conducting plasma in a magnetic field with non-trivial geometry is discussed under the assumption that the inertial term in the equation of motion may be ignored. The energy gained or lost by a volume element of plasma per unit time does not vary along the field-lines. Simple relations between the components of the current density, depending on the field-line geometry, exist. Similar relations hold for the components of the plasma velocity.

The theoretical analysis is applied to the geomagnetically-quiet plasma sheet and a qualitative physical picture of the sheet is suggested. The observed structure of the sheet is compatible with Axford-Hines type of convection perhaps combined with a low-speed flow from a distant neutral point. The magnetic-field-aligned currents are driven by the deformations of the closed field-lines which are enforced by the solar wind.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Canada

    A. Hruška

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  1. A. Hruška
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Hruška, A. Slow convection of a magnetized plasma and the earth plasma sheet. Astrophys Space Sci 71, 459–474 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00639403

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00639403

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