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Liu Y, Shi P, Zhang X, Lei J, Ding W. Laboratory plasma devices for space physics investigation. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2021; 92:071101. [PMID: 34340448 DOI: 10.1063/5.0021355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In the past decades, laboratory experiments have contributed significantly to the exploration of the fundamental physics of space plasmas. Since 1908, when Birkeland invented the first terrella device, numerous experimental apparatuses have been designed and constructed for space physics investigations, and beneficial achievements have been gained using these laboratory plasma devices. In the present work, we review the initiation, development, and current status of laboratory plasma devices for space physics investigations. The notable experimental apparatuses are categorized and discussed according to the central scientific research topics they are related to, such as space plasma waves and instabilities, magnetic field generation and reconnection, and modeling of the Earth's and planetary space environments. The characteristics of each device, including the plasma configuration, plasma generation, and control method, are highlighted and described in detail. In addition, their contributions to reveal the underlying physics of space observations are also briefly discussed. For the scope of future research, various challenges are discussed, and suggestions are provided for the construction of new and enhanced devices. The objective of this work is to allow space physicists and planetary scientists to enhance their knowledge of the experimental apparatuses and the corresponding experimental techniques, thereby facilitating the combination of spacecraft observation, numerical simulation, and laboratory experiments and consequently promoting the development of space physics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Peiyun Shi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, USA
| | - Xiao Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jiuhou Lei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Weixing Ding
- CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
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Milhone J, Flanagan K, Egedal J, Endrizzi D, Olson J, Peterson EE, Wright JC, Forest CB. Ion Heating and Flow Driven by an Instability Found in Plasma Couette Flow. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2021; 126:185002. [PMID: 34018793 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.126.185002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We present the first observation of instability in weakly magnetized, pressure dominated plasma Couette flow firmly in the Hall regime. Strong Hall currents couple to a low frequency electromagnetic mode that is driven by high-β (>1) pressure profiles. Spectroscopic measurements show heating (factor of 3) of the cold, unmagnetized ions via a resonant Landau damping process. A linear theory of this instability is derived that predicts positive growth rates at finite β and shows the stabilizing effect of very large β, in line with observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Milhone
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1150 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - K Flanagan
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1150 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - J Egedal
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1150 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - D Endrizzi
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1150 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - J Olson
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1150 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - E E Peterson
- Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, NW 17 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - J C Wright
- Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, NW 17 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - C B Forest
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1150 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
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Chesny DL, Orange NB, Dempsey C. Method for creating a three-dimensional magnetic null point topology with an accurate spine axis. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2021; 92:054710. [PMID: 34243277 DOI: 10.1063/5.0033786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional magnetic null points (3D nulls) are sites of dynamic activity in a wide range of naturally-occurring and laboratory plasma environments. The topology of a 3D null is defined by a two-dimensional fan plane of radial field lines and a one-dimensional, collimated spine axis. Here, we build on previous work that was able to form an extended 3D null topology using an assembly of circular conducting coils, with each coil carrying a constant current. While that magnetic field design decayed from the mathematically pure form away from the central null, this paper introduces an algorithm for modulating the current through each coil to form a more mathematically pure spine axis along the entirety of the coil assembly. By the method of solving an inverse problem, we demonstrate that unique currents exist for any arbitrary distribution of axially-aligned circular coils for creating an accurate spine axis in a 3D null topology. Tests of this algorithm are performed on spherical, cylindrical, and cone-shaped coil assemblies. Vector magnetic field mapping of these small-scale demonstrators verifies that an accurate spine axis is maintained along the entire central axis of the coil assemblies. The magnetic field accuracy is roughly maintained along the fan plane but decays strongly toward the outer extents of the coils. The inverse method presented here is not limited to 3D null topologies but can be adapted to match any theoretical form of the magnetic field along a single axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- D L Chesny
- Department of Research & Development, SpaceWave, LLC, Satellite Beach, Florida 32937, USA
| | - N B Orange
- Department of Research & Development, SpaceWave, LLC, Satellite Beach, Florida 32937, USA
| | - C Dempsey
- Department of Research & Development, OrangeWave Innovative Science, LLC, Moncks Corner, South Carolina 29461, USA
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Song HH, Wang WM, Wang JQ, Li YT, Zhang J. Low-frequency whistler waves excited by relativistic laser pulses. Phys Rev E 2020; 102:053204. [PMID: 33327142 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.102.053204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
It is shown by multidimensional particle-in-cell simulations that intense secondary whistler waves with special vortexlike field topology can be excited by a relativistic laser pulse in the highly magnetized, near-critical density plasma. Such whistler waves with lower frequencies obliquely propagate on both sides of the laser propagation axis. The energy conversion rate from laser to whistler waves can exceed 15%. Their dispersion relations and field polarization properties can be well explained by the linear cold-plasma model. The present work presents a new excitation mechanism of whistler modes extending to the relativistic regime and could also be applied in magnetically assisted fast ignition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huai-Hang Song
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, CAS, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wei-Min Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, CAS, Beijing 100190, China.,Department of Physics and Beijing Key Laboratory of Opto-electronic Functional Materials and Micro-nano Devices, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jia-Qi Wang
- College of Physical Science and Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Yu-Tong Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, CAS, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, CAS, Beijing 100190, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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Sano T, Fujioka S, Mori Y, Mima K, Sentoku Y. Thermonuclear fusion triggered by collapsing standing whistler waves in magnetized overdense plasmas. Phys Rev E 2020; 101:013206. [PMID: 32069605 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.101.013206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Thermal fusion plasmas initiated by standing whistler waves are investigated numerically by two- and one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. When a standing whistler wave collapses due to the wave breaking of ion plasma waves, the energy of the electromagnetic waves transfers directly to the ion kinetic energy. Here we find that ion heating by use of standing whistler waves is operational even in multidimensional simulations of multi-ion species targets, such as deuterium-tritium (DT) ices and solid ammonia borane (H_{6}BN). The energy conversion efficiency to ions becomes as high as 15% of the injected laser energy, which depends significantly on the target thickness and laser pulse duration. The ion temperature could reach a few tens of keV or much higher if appropriate laser-plasma conditions are selected. DT fusion plasmas generated by this method must be useful as efficient neutron sources. Our numerical simulations suggest that the neutron generation efficiency exceeds 10^{9} n/J per steradian, which is beyond the current achievements of the state-of-the-art laser experiments. Standing whistler-wave heating would expand the experimental possibility for an alternative ignition design of magnetically confined laser fusion and also for more difficult fusion reactions, including the aneutronic proton-boron reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayoshi Sano
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Fujioka
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Mori
- The Graduate School for the Creation of New Photonics Industries, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-1202, Japan
| | - Kunioki Mima
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- The Graduate School for the Creation of New Photonics Industries, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-1202, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Sentoku
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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Sano T, Hata M, Kawahito D, Mima K, Sentoku Y. Ultrafast wave-particle energy transfer in the collapse of standing whistler waves. Phys Rev E 2019; 100:053205. [PMID: 31869898 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.100.053205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Efficient energy transfer from electromagnetic waves to ions has been demanded to control laboratory plasmas for various applications and could be useful to understand the nature of space and astrophysical plasmas. However, there exists the severe unsolved problem that most of the wave energy is converted quickly to electrons but not to ions. Here, an energy-to-ion conversion process in overdense plasmas associated with whistler waves is investigated by numerical simulations and a theoretical model. Whistler waves propagating along a magnetic field in space and laboratories often form standing waves by the collision of counter-propagating waves or through the reflection. We find that ions in standing whistler waves acquire a large amount of energy directly from the waves over a short time scale comparable to the wave oscillation period. The thermalized ion temperature increases in proportion to the square of the wave amplitude and becomes much higher than the electron temperature in a wide range of wave-plasma conditions. This efficient ion-heating mechanism applies to various plasma phenomena in space physics and fusion energy sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayoshi Sano
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masayasu Hata
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Daiki Kawahito
- Center for Energy Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0417, USA
| | - Kunioki Mima
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- The Graduate School for the Creation of New Photonics Industries, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-1202, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Sentoku
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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Borovsky JE, Valdivia JA. The Earth's Magnetosphere: A Systems Science Overview and Assessment. SURVEYS IN GEOPHYSICS 2018; 39:817-859. [PMID: 30956375 PMCID: PMC6428226 DOI: 10.1007/s10712-018-9487-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
A systems science examination of the Earth's fully interconnected dynamic magnetosphere is presented. Here the magnetospheric system (a.k.a. the magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere system) is considered to be comprised of 14 interconnected subsystems, where each subsystem is a characteristic particle population: 12 of those particle populations are plasmas and two (the atmosphere and the hydrogen geocorona) are neutrals. For the magnetospheric system, an assessment is made of the applicability of several system descriptors, such as adaptive, nonlinear, dissipative, interdependent, open, irreversible, and complex. The 14 subsystems of the magnetospheric system are cataloged and described, and the various types of magnetospheric waves that couple the behaviors of the subsystems to each other are explained. This yields a roadmap of the connectivity of the magnetospheric system. Various forms of magnetospheric activity beyond geomagnetic activity are reviewed, and four examples of emergent phenomena in the Earth's magnetosphere are presented. Prior systems science investigations of the solar-wind-driven magnetospheric system are discussed: up to the present these investigations have not accounted for the full interconnectedness of the system. This overview and assessment of the Earth's magnetosphere hopes to facilitate (1) future global systems science studies that involve the entire interconnected magnetospheric system with its diverse time and spatial scales and (2) connections of magnetospheric systems science with the broader Earth systems science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph E. Borovsky
- Center for Space Plasma Physics, Space Science Institute, Boulder, CO 80301 USA
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Teolis BD, Sillanpää I, Waite JH, Khurana KK. Surface current balance and thermoelectric whistler wings at airless astrophysical bodies: Cassini at Rhea. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH. SPACE PHYSICS 2014; 119:8881-8901. [PMID: 26167436 PMCID: PMC4497460 DOI: 10.1002/2014ja020094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Revised: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/04/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Sharp magnetic perturbations found by the Cassini spacecraft at the edge of the Rhea flux tube are consistent with field-aligned flux tube currents. The current system results from the difference of ion and electron gyroradii and the requirement to balance currents on the sharp Rhea surface. Differential-type hybrid codes that solve for ion velocity and magnetic field have an intrinsic difficulty modeling the plasma absorber's sharp surface. We overcome this problem by instead using integral equations to solve for ion and electron currents and obtain agreement with the magnetic perturbations at Rhea's flux tube edge. An analysis of the plasma dispersion relations and Cassini data reveals that field-guided whistler waves initiated by (1) the electron velocity anisotropy in the flux tube and (2) interaction with surface sheath electrostatic waves on topographic scales may facilitate propagation of the current system to large distances from Rhea. Current systems like those at Rhea should occur generally, for plasma absorbers of any size such as spacecraft or planetary bodies, in a wide range of space plasma environments. Motion through the plasma is not essential since the current system is thermodynamic in origin, excited by heat flow into the object. The requirements are a difference of ion and electron gyroradii and a sharp surface, i.e., without a significant thick atmosphere. KEY POINTS Surface current balance condition yields a current system at astronomical bodiesCurrent system possible for sharp (airless) objects of any sizeCurrent system is thermoelectric and motion through the plasma nonessential.
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Affiliation(s)
- B D Teolis
- Space Science Division, Southwest Research Institute San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - I Sillanpää
- Space Science Division, Southwest Research Institute San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - J H Waite
- Space Science Division, Southwest Research Institute San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - K K Khurana
- Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California Los Angeles, California, USA
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Van Compernolle B, Bortnik J, Pribyl P, Gekelman W, Nakamoto M, Tao X, Thorne RM. Direct detection of resonant electron pitch angle scattering by whistler waves in a laboratory plasma. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2014; 112:145006. [PMID: 24765981 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.112.145006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Resonant interactions between energetic electrons and whistler mode waves are an essential ingredient in the space environment, and in particular in controlling the dynamic variability of Earth's natural radiation belts, which is a topic of extreme interest at the moment. Although the theory describing resonant wave-particle interaction has been present for several decades, it has not been hitherto tested in a controlled laboratory setting. In the present Letter we report on the first laboratory experiment to directly detect resonant pitch angle scattering of energetic (∼keV) electrons due to whistler mode waves. We show that the whistler mode wave deflects energetic electrons at precisely the predicted resonant energy, and that varying both the maximum beam energy, and the wave frequency, alters the energetic electron beam very close to the resonant energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Van Compernolle
- Department of Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - J Bortnik
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - P Pribyl
- Department of Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - W Gekelman
- Department of Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - M Nakamoto
- Department of Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - X Tao
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - R M Thorne
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
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Guittienne P, Howling AA, Hollenstein C. Generation of whistler-wave heated discharges with planar resonant RF networks. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2013; 111:125005. [PMID: 24093270 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.111.125005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Magnetized plasma discharges generated by a planar resonant rf network are investigated. A regime transition is observed above a magnetic field threshold, associated with rf waves propagating in the plasma and which present the characteristics of whistler waves. These wave heated regimes can be considered as analogous to conventional helicon discharges, but in planar geometry.
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Tenerani A, Le Contel O, Califano F, Pegoraro F, Robert P, Cornilleau-Wehrlin N, Sauvaud JA. Coupling between whistler waves and ion-scale solitary waves: cluster measurements in the magnetotail during a substorm. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2012; 109:155005. [PMID: 23102320 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.109.155005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We present a new model of self-consistent coupling between low frequency, ion-scale coherent structures with high frequency whistler waves in order to interpret Cluster data. The idea relies on the possibility of trapping whistler waves by inhomogeneous external fields where they can be spatially confined and propagate for times much longer than their characteristic electronic time scale. Here we take the example of a slow magnetosonic soliton acting as a wave guide in analogy with the ducting properties of an inhomogeneous plasma. The soliton is characterized by a magnetic dip and density hump that traps and advects high frequency waves over many ion times. The model represents a new possible way of explaining space measurements often detecting the presence of whistler waves in correspondence to magnetic depressions and density humps. This approach, here given by means of slow solitons, but more general than that, is alternative to the standard approach of considering whistler wave packets as associated with nonpropagating magnetic holes resulting from a mirror-type instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Tenerani
- LPP, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, UPMC, St. Maur-des-Fossés 94107, France.
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Eliasson B, Shukla PK. Dynamics of whistler spheromaks in magnetized plasmas. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2007; 99:205005. [PMID: 18233151 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.99.205005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2007] [Revised: 07/16/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Recent laboratory experiments [Stenzel et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 095004 (2006)10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.095004] have demonstrated interesting phenomena of propagating nonlinear whistler structures (spheromaks) and stationary field-reversed configurations, whose magnetic fields exceed the ambient magnetic field strength. Our objective here is to present simulation studies for these nonlinear whistler structures based on the three-dimensional nonlinear electron magnetohydrodynamic equations. The robustness and longevity of the propagating whistler spheromaks found in the experiments are confirmed numerically. Varying the toroidal field of the spheromak in the initial conditions, we find that the polarity and the amplitude of the toroidal field determine the propagation direction and speed of the spheromak. Our simulation results are in excellent agreement with those observed in the laboratory experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Eliasson
- Institut für Theoretische Physik IV, Fakultät für Physik und Astronomie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
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