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Electric fields associated with dipolarization fronts
Author(s) -
Sun WeiJie,
Fu Suiyan,
Parks George K.,
Pu Zuyin,
Zong QiuGang,
Liu Jiang,
Yao Zhonghua,
Fu Huishan,
Shi Quanqi
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9402
pISSN - 2169-9380
DOI - 10.1002/2014ja020045
Subject(s) - electric field , physics , magnetic field , ohm , electron , cluster (spacecraft) , plasma , atomic physics , ion , plasma sheet , magnetosphere , quantum mechanics , computer science , programming language
Electric fields associated with dipolarization fronts (DFs) have been investigated in the magnetotail plasma sheet using Cluster observations. We have studied each term in the generalized Ohm's law using data obtained from the multispacecraft Cluster. Our results show that in the plasma flow frame, electric fields are directed normal to the DF in the magnetic dip region ahead of the DF as well as in the DF layer but in opposite directions. Case and statistical studies show that the Hall electric field is important while the electron pressure gradient term is much smaller. The ions decouple from the magnetic field in the DF layer and dip region ( E + V i × B ≠ 0), whereas electrons remain frozen‐in ( E + V e × B =∇ p e / n e e ).