Role of interchange instability in flux transfer event origin

It is shown that the interaction of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), when it has southward component, with the geomagnetic field leads to the formation of an enhanced pressure layer (EPL) near the magnetopause. Currents flowing on the boundary between the EPL and the magnetosheath prevent th...

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Main Authors: B. V. Rezhenov, Y. P. Maltsev
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications
Series:Annales Geophysicae
Online Access:http://www.ann-geophys.net/12/183/1994/angeo-12-183-1994.html
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author B. V. Rezhenov
Y. P. Maltsev
author_facet B. V. Rezhenov
Y. P. Maltsev
author_sort B. V. Rezhenov
collection DOAJ
description It is shown that the interaction of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), when it has southward component, with the geomagnetic field leads to the formation of an enhanced pressure layer (EPL) near the magnetopause. Currents flowing on the boundary between the EPL and the magnetosheath prevent the IMF from penetrating the magnetosphere. However, the outward boundary of the EPL is unstable. The interchange instability permanently destroys the EPL. Separate filaments of the EPL move away from the Earth. New colder plasma of the magnetosheath with a frozen magnetic field replaces the hotter EPL plasma, and the process of EPL formation and destruction repeats itself. <p style="line-height: 20px;">The instability increment is calculated for various magnitudes of the azimuthal wave number, <i>k<sub>y</sub></i>, and curvature radius of the magnetic field lines, <i>R</i><sub>c</sub>. The disturbances with <i>R</i><sup>-1</sup><sub>e</sub>≤<i>k<sub>y</sub></i>≤4<i>R</i><sup>-1</sup><sub>e</sub> (where <i>R</i><sub>e</sub> is the Earth's radius) and <i>R</i><sub>c</sub>≅<i>R</i><sub>e</sub> are the most unstable. <p style="line-height: 20px;">A possible result of the interchange instability of the EPL may be patchy reconnection, displayed as flux transfer events (FTEs) near the magnetopause.
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spelling doaj.art-c8168fb47b274946a000ee21ae4a8c0d2022-12-22T01:51:50ZengCopernicus PublicationsAnnales Geophysicae0992-76891432-0576122/3183187Role of interchange instability in flux transfer event originB. V. RezhenovY. P. MaltsevIt is shown that the interaction of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), when it has southward component, with the geomagnetic field leads to the formation of an enhanced pressure layer (EPL) near the magnetopause. Currents flowing on the boundary between the EPL and the magnetosheath prevent the IMF from penetrating the magnetosphere. However, the outward boundary of the EPL is unstable. The interchange instability permanently destroys the EPL. Separate filaments of the EPL move away from the Earth. New colder plasma of the magnetosheath with a frozen magnetic field replaces the hotter EPL plasma, and the process of EPL formation and destruction repeats itself. <p style="line-height: 20px;">The instability increment is calculated for various magnitudes of the azimuthal wave number, <i>k<sub>y</sub></i>, and curvature radius of the magnetic field lines, <i>R</i><sub>c</sub>. The disturbances with <i>R</i><sup>-1</sup><sub>e</sub>≤<i>k<sub>y</sub></i>≤4<i>R</i><sup>-1</sup><sub>e</sub> (where <i>R</i><sub>e</sub> is the Earth's radius) and <i>R</i><sub>c</sub>≅<i>R</i><sub>e</sub> are the most unstable. <p style="line-height: 20px;">A possible result of the interchange instability of the EPL may be patchy reconnection, displayed as flux transfer events (FTEs) near the magnetopause.http://www.ann-geophys.net/12/183/1994/angeo-12-183-1994.html
spellingShingle B. V. Rezhenov
Y. P. Maltsev
Role of interchange instability in flux transfer event origin
Annales Geophysicae
title Role of interchange instability in flux transfer event origin
title_full Role of interchange instability in flux transfer event origin
title_fullStr Role of interchange instability in flux transfer event origin
title_full_unstemmed Role of interchange instability in flux transfer event origin
title_short Role of interchange instability in flux transfer event origin
title_sort role of interchange instability in flux transfer event origin
url http://www.ann-geophys.net/12/183/1994/angeo-12-183-1994.html
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AT ypmaltsev roleofinterchangeinstabilityinfluxtransfereventorigin