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Nonlinear Magnetic Gradients and Complete Magnetic Geometry From Multispacecraft Measurements
Author(s) -
Shen Chao,
Zhang Chi,
Rong Zhaojin,
Pu Zuyin,
Dunlop Malcolm W.,
Escoubet C. Philippe,
Russell C. T.,
Zeng Gang,
Ren Nian,
Burch James L.,
Zhou Yufei
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9402
pISSN - 2169-9380
DOI - 10.1029/2020ja028846
Subject(s) - magnetic field , physics , curvature , spacecraft , rope , nonlinear system , magnetic flux , computational physics , plasma , magnetic reconnection , classical mechanics , geometry , algorithm , mathematics , quantum mechanics , astronomy
Topological configurations of the magnetic field play key roles in the dynamics of space plasmas. This study presents a novel algorithm that can estimate the quadratic magnetic gradient as well as the complete geometrical features of magnetic field lines, based on magnetic field and current density measurements by a multiple spacecraft constellation at four or more points. The explicit estimators for the linear and quadratic gradients, the apparent velocity of the magnetic structure and the curvature and torsion of the magnetic field lines can be obtained with well‐predicted accuracies. The feasibility and accuracy of the method have been verified with two demonstrations. The algorithm has been successfully applied to exhibit the geometrical structure of a flux rope. This algorithm has wide applications for studying a variety of magnetic configurations in space plasmas.