Observations of large-amplitude, parallel, electrostatic waves associated with the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability by the magnetospheric multiscale mission
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
On 8 September 2015, the four Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft encountered a Kelvin-Helmholtz unstable magnetopause near the dusk flank. The spacecraft observed periodic compressed current sheets, between which the plasma was turbulent. We present observations of large-amplitude (up to 100 mV/m) oscillations in the electric field. Because these oscillations are purely parallel to the background magnetic field, electrostatic, and below the ion plasma frequency, they are likely to be ion acoustic-like waves. These waves are observed in a turbulent plasma where multiple particle populations are intermittently mixed, including cold electrons with energies less than 10 eV. Stability analysis suggests a cold electron component is necessary for wave growth.
Date Issued
2016-09-03
Date Acceptance
2016-08-10
Citation
Geophysical Research Letters, 2016, 43 (17), pp.8859-8866
ISSN
1944-8007
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Start Page
8859
End Page
8866
Journal / Book Title
Geophysical Research Letters
Volume
43
Issue
17
Copyright Statement
©2016. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. Wilder, F. D., et al. (2016), Observations of large-amplitude, parallel, electrostatic waves associated with the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability by the magnetospheric multiscale mission, Geophys. Res. Lett., 43, 8859–8866, doi:10.1002/2016GL070404. To view the published open abstract, go to http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2016GL070404
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000385357200005&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Geology
Kelvin-Helmholtz
electrostatic waves
boundary layer
turbulence
LATITUDE BOUNDARY-LAYER
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
PLASMA TRANSPORT
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
MD Multidisciplinary
Publication Status
Published