FastFind »   Lastname: doi:10.1029/ Year: Advanced Search  

AGU: Journal of Geophysical Research, Space Physics

 

Keywords

  • rotational discontinuity
  • directional discontinuity
  • reconnection

Index Terms

  • Interplanetary Physics: Discontinuities
  • Space Plasma Physics: Magnetic reconnection
  • Space Plasma Physics: Discontinuities
  • Interplanetary Physics: Solar wind plasma
Abstract
Cited By (1)
 

Abstract

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, VOL. 114, A08102, 9 PP., 2009
doi:10.1029/2008JA014008

A possible generation mechanism of interplanetary rotational discontinuities

C. C. Lin

Institute of Space Science, National Central University, Jhongli, Taiwan

C. L. Tsai

Earth Dynamic System Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

Department of Physics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

H. J. Chen

Department of Physics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

C. J. Weng

Department of Physics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

J. K. Chao

Institute of Space Science, National Central University, Jhongli, Taiwan

L. C. Lee

Institute of Space Science, National Central University, Jhongli, Taiwan

In the present paper, we first examine some interplanetary directional discontinuities with very small B n /B (<0.1) using intraspacecraft timing method. It is found that the velocity and magnetic field fluctuations of these directional discontinuities satisfy the Walén relation. We suggest that these directional discontinuities are rotational discontinuities. In addition, we investigate the stability of interplanetary rotational discontinuities using one-dimensional hybrid simulations and found that rotational discontinuities with all values of B n /B can stably exist in the solar wind. In one simulation run, we find that the rotational discontinuity (RD) is still stable when the ratio, B n /B, equals 0.0001. Finally, from one-dimensional hybrid simulation, we further find that the ratio is significantly reduced after interaction with interplanetary fast shocks. There are a few mechanisms for generation of RDs. Among them, two mechanisms are well accepted. One is nonlinear evolution of Alfvén waves in the solar wind, and another is magnetic reconnection near the solar surface. For magnetic reconnection, the reconnection rate, V 1n/V A1(= B n /B), in the magnetosphere and solar wind, is usually <0.2. Therefore the generated RDs also have B n /B < 0.2. On the other hand, the nonlinear evolution of Alfvén waves in the solar wind can generate RDs at all values of B n /B, which contradicts to the Cluster results. We suggest that interplanetary RDs with small B n /B are likely been generated through magnetic reconnection.

Received 22 December 2008; accepted 22 May 2009; published 11 August 2009.

Citation: Lin, C. C., C. L. Tsai, H. J. Chen, C. J. Weng, J. K. Chao, and L. C. Lee (2009), A possible generation mechanism of interplanetary rotational discontinuities, J. Geophys. Res., 114, A08102, doi:10.1029/2008JA014008.

Cited By

Please wait one moment ...