Electron‐Scale Measurements of Antidipolarization Front
Abstract Antidipolarization fronts (ADFs), usually formed at the leading edge of the tailward reconnection jets in the Earth's magnetotail, are characterized by sharp enhancements of southward magnetic field (negative Bz). The fine structures at electron scale of the ADFs have not been studied...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Geophysical Research Letters |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL092232 |
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| _version_ | 1850205108439089152 |
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| author | Yin Xu Huishan Fu Jinbin Cao Chengming Liu Cecilia Norgren Zuzheng Chen |
| author_facet | Yin Xu Huishan Fu Jinbin Cao Chengming Liu Cecilia Norgren Zuzheng Chen |
| author_sort | Yin Xu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Antidipolarization fronts (ADFs), usually formed at the leading edge of the tailward reconnection jets in the Earth's magnetotail, are characterized by sharp enhancements of southward magnetic field (negative Bz). The fine structures at electron scale of the ADFs have not been studied so far, due to instrumental limitations and large separation of previous spacecraft. Here, we use the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission to investigate the structure and dynamics of an ADF at electron scale. We find an intense current at the ADF, with the parallel current carried by a fast electron jet and the perpendicular current contributed by ion flow. Strong electric fields are found at the front and balanced by Hall term. The ion current leads to strong energy conversion, transforming the electromagnetic energy into particle energy. Our study makes essential steps toward understanding ADF dynamics in the magnetotail. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8996f44df7eb4a378b2b9ca350f885d1 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0094-8276 1944-8007 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geophysical Research Letters |
| spelling | doaj-art-8996f44df7eb4a378b2b9ca350f885d12025-08-20T02:11:09ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072021-03-01486n/an/a10.1029/2020GL092232Electron‐Scale Measurements of Antidipolarization FrontYin Xu0Huishan Fu1Jinbin Cao2Chengming Liu3Cecilia Norgren4Zuzheng Chen5School of Physics Beihang University Beijing ChinaSchool of Space and Environment Beihang University Beijing ChinaSchool of Space and Environment Beihang University Beijing ChinaSchool of Space and Environment Beihang University Beijing ChinaSpace Plasma Physics Group University of Bergen Bergen NorwaySchool of Space and Environment Beihang University Beijing ChinaAbstract Antidipolarization fronts (ADFs), usually formed at the leading edge of the tailward reconnection jets in the Earth's magnetotail, are characterized by sharp enhancements of southward magnetic field (negative Bz). The fine structures at electron scale of the ADFs have not been studied so far, due to instrumental limitations and large separation of previous spacecraft. Here, we use the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission to investigate the structure and dynamics of an ADF at electron scale. We find an intense current at the ADF, with the parallel current carried by a fast electron jet and the perpendicular current contributed by ion flow. Strong electric fields are found at the front and balanced by Hall term. The ion current leads to strong energy conversion, transforming the electromagnetic energy into particle energy. Our study makes essential steps toward understanding ADF dynamics in the magnetotail.https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL092232antidipolarization frontscurrent systemelectric fieldelectron scaleenergy conversionmagnetotail |
| spellingShingle | Yin Xu Huishan Fu Jinbin Cao Chengming Liu Cecilia Norgren Zuzheng Chen Electron‐Scale Measurements of Antidipolarization Front Geophysical Research Letters antidipolarization fronts current system electric field electron scale energy conversion magnetotail |
| title | Electron‐Scale Measurements of Antidipolarization Front |
| title_full | Electron‐Scale Measurements of Antidipolarization Front |
| title_fullStr | Electron‐Scale Measurements of Antidipolarization Front |
| title_full_unstemmed | Electron‐Scale Measurements of Antidipolarization Front |
| title_short | Electron‐Scale Measurements of Antidipolarization Front |
| title_sort | electron scale measurements of antidipolarization front |
| topic | antidipolarization fronts current system electric field electron scale energy conversion magnetotail |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL092232 |
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