Formation of Double Layers and Electron Holes in a Current-Driven Space Plasma

Newman, D. L.; Goldman, M. V.; Ergun, R. E.; Mangeney, A.

doi:10.1103/physrevlett.87.255001

Cited by 143 publications

(173 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The near-unipolar E || events in Figure (1j) and in Figure (3d) differ from previous double layer observations [37][38][39] in that no strong fluctuations are adjacent to the E || structure. Yet, the data indicate J .…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 93%

“…E > 0, which suggests a double-layer. Since V ex is >500 km/s (higher than the ion acoustic speed) in both of those events (not displayed), it is possible that the E || structures pass by the spacecraft perpendicular to B rather than parallel to B (as often observed [37][38][39]), thus strong fluctuations associated with accelerated electrons are not observed. It is also possible these E || events are double layers that endure for short periods so that the measured signal represents the lifetime of the double layer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Magnetospheric Multiscale Satellites Observations of Parallel Electric Fields Associated with Magnetic Reconnection

Ergun¹,

Goodrich²,

Wilder³

et al. 2016

Phys. Rev. Lett.

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We report observations from the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) satellites of parallel electric fields (E || ) associated with magnetic reconnection in the sub-solar region of Earth's magnetopause. E || events near the electron diffusion region have amplitudes on the order of 100 mV/m, which are significantly larger than predicted for an anti-parallel reconnection electric field. This article addresses a specific type of E || events, which appear as large-amplitude, near unipolar spikes that are associated with tangled, reconnected magnetic fields. These E || events are primarily in or near a current layer near the separatrix and are interpreted to be double layers that may be responsible for secondary reconnection in tangled magnetic fields or flux ropes. These results are telling of the 3D nature of magnetopause reconnection and indicate that magnetopause reconnection may be often patchy and/or drive turbulence along the separatrix that results in flux ropes and/or tangled magnetic fields. 2

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Magnetospheric Multiscale Satellites Observations of Parallel Electric Fields Associated with Magnetic Reconnection

Ergun¹,

Goodrich²,

Wilder³

et al. 2016

Phys. Rev. Lett.

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“…Therefore, the auroral observations of electron holes, which are powered by the electron beams, imply the presence of double layers below the observing satellites in the ADCR and above the satellite in the AUCR. Comparisons of the properties of EHs observed by satellites with those seen in simulations of electron beam plasma interactions Miyake et al, 1998Miyake et al, , 2000Omura et al, 1994Omura et al, , 1996Oppenheim et al, 1999;Singh et al, 2000Singh et al, , 2001aSingh et al, , 2001bUmeda et al, 2002Umeda et al, , 2004 as well as in simulations of DLs [Singh, 2000[Singh, , 2002[Singh, , 2003Newman et al, 2001;Goldman et al, 2003] have been carried out in several studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mesoscale PIC simulation of double layers and electron holes affecting parallel and transverse accelerations of electrons and ions

2011

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[1] We study the dynamical behavior of potential structures in the auroral upward current region. The study is based on a large two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation. A double layer (DL) forms in the auroral potential structure in the counterstreaming expansion of cold and hot plasmas from bottom (ionospheric side) and top (magnetospheric side), respectively. Transversely nonuniform converging perpendicular electric field drives the plasma from the top, generating V-shaped potential structure within the expanding plasmas. The dynamical features include (1) recurring formation of the DL, (2) downward motion of the DL over the distance of thousands of Debye lengths, (3) collapse of the existing double layer after the reformation of a new one near the top in the hot magnetospheric plasma, and (4) generation of electron holes (EHs) on the high-potential side of the DL and their downward propagation over a few thousand of Debye lengths, where they are dissipated. The EHs are associated with broadband plasma waves with spectrum peaked near the lower hybrid frequency. The EH turbulence is temporally modulated by low-frequency plasma waves near the ion cyclotron frequency W i . Electrostatic ion cyclotron waves above W i occur on the low-potential side of the DL. Transverse and parallel acceleration/heating of both electrons and ions are studied. The fast moving electron holes are found effective in transverse heating of the cold ionospheric electrons trapped below the DL. Relevance of our results to satellite observations in the auroral plasma is discussed.Citation: Singh, N., S. Araveti, and E. B. Wells (2011), Mesoscale PIC simulation of double layers and electron holes affecting parallel and transverse accelerations of electrons and ions,

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“…A numerical study of DLs with semi-open boundary conditions was performed (Newman 2001). They intended to explain the ionosphere DC parallel electric field observed by the FAST (Fast Auroral SnapshoT) satellite (Lynch 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Collisionless transport of energetic electrons in the solar corona at current-free double layers

Lee¹,

Büchner²,

Elkina³

2007

A&A

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Context. Impinging electron beams in the solar chromosphere generate hard X-ray radiation (HXR) through the collisional Bremstrahlung thick target model. The deduced electron distributions usually exhibit a broken-power-law. Assuming that the initial distribution function was a drift-Maxwellian, this indicates that the distribution of energetic electrons changes in the course of their propagation, from the looptop acceleration site to the high density chromosphere, via a collisionless scattering mechanism. Aims. The formation of a broken-power-law spectrum via the particle interaction with the current-free weak double layers (DLs) in a reverse current beam plasma system. Methods. The unstable waves generated in current-free coronal plasmas are first studied by means of a linear instability analysis. For most probable coronal plasma parameters, a one-dimensional electrostatic Vlasov-code simulation is performed to understand the nonlinear evolution of the instabilities and their influences on the electron distribution. Results. DL structures cause a dissipation of low energy beam electrons and a stagnation of return-current electrons. Fast electron holes are formed, a secondary two-stream instability, caused by the DL-accelerated electrons. Electron and ion heating by DLs also takes place. Conclusions. The plasma distributions of energetic electrons in the solar corona evolve via their interactions with nonlinear largeamplitude phase-space structures. At the late stage of evolution, the low-energy electrons are slowed down while the high energy part stays uninfluenced after the appearance of DLs. A major part of the return-current electrons change their direction to that of the injected beam. As a result the distribution becomes a broken-power-law as observed by chromospheric HXR radiation.

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Formation of Double Layers and Electron Holes in a Current-Driven Space Plasma

Cited by 143 publications

References 21 publications

Magnetospheric Multiscale Satellites Observations of Parallel Electric Fields Associated with Magnetic Reconnection

Magnetospheric Multiscale Satellites Observations of Parallel Electric Fields Associated with Magnetic Reconnection

Mesoscale PIC simulation of double layers and electron holes affecting parallel and transverse accelerations of electrons and ions

Collisionless transport of energetic electrons in the solar corona at current-free double layers

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