An Introduction To Space Plasma Physics

UCL DEPARTMENT OF SPACE & CLIMATE PHYSICS
SPACE PLASMA PHYSICS GROUP
An Introduction to the Structure of

the Magnetosphere
Prof. Chris Owen
Mullard Space Science Laboratory,
University College London
Lecture to the STFC Summer School, Armagh

September 18th 2012
18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

1. Overview
An introduction to the structures and processes that
occur in the vicinity of the magnetized planets.
Ways to understand plasma behaviour
Applications
The Solar Wind (brief recap)
Collisionless Shocks
Magnetosheath
Magnetic Reconnection
The Open Magnetosphere
Magnetic Substorms
Conclusion

Recap (?): Definition

A plasma is a quasi-neutral gas consisting
of positively and negatively charged
particles (usually ions and electrons)
which are subject to electric, magnetic and
other forces and which exhibit collective
behaviour (oscillations, instabilities, etc.).
1 1
o kT 4 2
1 e2 no 2
D 2 L ; N D 3D no 1 ; fCN f Pe
e no 3 2
e o
m

The Realm of Plasma Physics

2. Ways to Understand Plasmas

You will learn more details about these
from the programme for tomorrow:
Single Particle Dynamics;
Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD);
Kinetic Theory;
I will briefly pre-cap some of these only to
the extent necessary to follow this lecture.

2.1 Single Particle Dynamics

Particle gyromotion
Particle drifts
Particle mirroring

Basic Particle Motion in a Magnetic Field

Lorentz Force:
FL = q(E + v B)
Gyroradius (Larmor
radius): rL = mv/qB
Gyro- or cyclotron
frequency:
WL = qB/m
Pitch angle:
a = tan-1(v/v||)
(0 a 180o) B
Particle Drifts
B
FxB drift
F
VF
vF (F x B) qB
= 2

Particle Drifts
B
FxB drift
F
ExB drift
VF
vF (F x B) qB
= 2

Particle Drifts
B
FxB drift
F
ExB drift
Gradient drift
VF
vF (F x B) qB
= 2

Particle Drifts
B
FxB drift
F
ExB drift
Gradient drift
Curvature drift VF
3
vF (F x B) qB
= 2

Particle Mirroring
1
mv 2 B
2
is conserved.
(as is K.E.)

Applications - Particle Trapping
c.f. planetary radiation belts.

N.B. Opposing drift of ions and electrons creates a Ring
Current around the planet.
Van Allen Radiation Belts

2.2 Magnetohydrodynamics
(MHD)
See lectures tomorrow (Alan Hood and Robert
von FS);
Plasma is treated as a fluid
.but accounts for additional phenomena due to
electromagnetic influences modifications to
classical fluid dynamics equations plus Maxwells
equations!
However, Frozen-in magnetic flux is a key
concept.
Frozen-in Magnetic Field

P1 V1
P1
A B
B A
V2
P2
P2
B 1
V B 2B
MHD Induction Equation: t o
Frozen-in flow
Implications
1. Particles remain associated with
the same field line for all time
2. Plasmas on different field lines
do not mix
3. Corollary: Frozen-out plasma
Caveats
1. Only an approximation to the
actual flow (but usually a good
one in space plasmas!)
2. Applies when the field seen by a
particle varies slowly in space
and time compared with its
gyrofrequency and gyroperiod

Gyro-periods and -radii: Typical Values

Electrons Protons
We e Rge Wp p Rgp
(rad s-1) (s) (km) (rad s-1) (s) (km)
Solar Wind 1000 0.01 2 0.5 10 100

(B ~5 nT, KE ~10 eV)
Magnetosphere 18000 0.003 1 10 0.5 50

(B ~100 nT, KE ~1 KeV)
Ionosphere
(B ~50,000 nT, KE ~0.1 9x106 1x10-6 2x10-5 300* 0.02* 0.004*
eV)
* Atomic oxygen

Magnetic Flux Tubes

2.3 Kinetic Theory

Particle level descriptions of the plasma are
crucial for understanding advanced topics
(e.g. plasma waves and instabilities)
Statistical approach distribution function
f(r, v ,t) = dn(r, v, t)/drdv
N.B. 6-dimensional phase space
Macroscopic parameters (density,
temperature etc.) deduced from moments of
the distribution function
Beyond the scope of this short lecture.

3. Space Plasma Applications

The Solar Wind (again v. brief precap
see lectures later in week)
Collisionless Shocks
Magnetosheath
Magnetic Substorms

3.1 The Solar Wind

Extension of solar
corona into
interplanetary space
Average properties at Earth:
Density ~ 7cm-3 (~ 4% He2+)

Speed ~ 450 km s-1
Proton Temp. ~ 1.2x105 K
Electron Temp. ~1.4x105 K
B-Field Strength ~ 7 nT
MS ~ MA ~ 2-10
MFP ~ 1 AU

What happens when the solar wind encounters

a planetary magnetic field?
Solar
Wind

Magnetosheath
Solar
Wind
Formation of a
Closed
Magnetosphere Bow Shock

3.2 Collisionless Shocks/Bow Shock
Basic Physics
Shock geometry and structure
Particle acceleration
Foreshock
Magnetosheath

Rankine-Hugoniot (Shock Conservation)

Relations
Upstream Shock Downstream
[ X ] XUPSTREAM X DOWNSTREAM
[ un ] 0 UU Ud
2 B2
un P 0
2 o
Bn
u n ut B t 0
o
1 2 P B2 Bn
un u un u.B 0
2 1 o o Fast (M > 1), Slow (M < 1),
[Bn ] 0 cool, rarefied compressed,
plasma heated plasma
[unBt Bnut ] 0
Shock Geometry and Structure

i) Quasi-perpendicular Shock
Upstream Shock Downstream
UU Ud
BU BD

2.Quasi-parallel Shock Electron Ion

Upstream Shock Downstream Foreshock Foreshock
UU Ud Q||
VSW
n Obstacle to
SW flow
Q
Magnetosheath
BU BD Bow Shock
BIMF

Shock Acceleration
Shock Drift Acceleration
Multiple interaction with a Q

shock can lead to particle drift
in the direction of the
convection electric field ESW
hence the particle gains
energy.
E-field

Shock Acceleration
Shock Drift Acceleration VO + 2nVSW
Shock
Fermi (Diffusive)
Multiple interaction with a Q
Acceleration
shock can lead to particle drift VSW
in the direction of the
Multiple interaction and
convection electric field ESW
reflection at a Q|| shock and at
hence the particle gains
upstream solar wind
energy.
turbulence can lead to particle
acceleration via the Fermi E-field
mechanism hence the
particle gains energy.
VO
3.3 The Magnetosheath

The hot, high-beta plasma region, lying between the
bow shock and the magnetopause is known as the
magnetosheath.
The magnetosheath is also a region of great wave
activity plasma is thus also processed through mode
coupling and damping.
Studies of the high beta, non-linear plasma processes
of the magnetosheath require understanding of the hot
plasma conditions and the complexity/activity of this
environment.

Gasdynamic Magnetosheath Flows

N.B. Structure
is rotationally
symmetric
about the X-
axis in these
plots

Density, Velocity, Temperature

Draped Magnetosheath Field

Magnetosheath
plasma flow is away
from subsolar point in
all directions around
the magnetosphere;
BX = 0 BX 0 Frozen in flow
implies that the
magnetic field
remains connected to
given plasma parcels;
Thus the field must
drape around the
magnetosphere.
Plasma Depletion Layer

Draping of B-field over
magnetosphere results in a
field strength maximum just
upstream of the subsolar
magnetopause.
Plasma is squeezed out of
this region along the field
lines by the action of the
mirror force.
This can create a relative
void of plasma, the PDL, in
this region (particularly for
northward IMF).
Formation of the Magnetosphere 2
Magnetosheath
Solar
Wind
Magnetopause Bow Shock

3.4 Chapman-Ferraro
Currents
Currents flow over magnetopause surface and act to contain the terrestrial
magnetic field within the cavity (and any IMF outside of it).
Tail magnetopause currents close via the equatorial cross-tail current
Chapman-Ferraro Currents - Model
Current flows in narrow sheet ~1 rgi thick, where ions and

electrons turn in opposite directions when they encounter
the terrestrial magnetic field.
3.5 The Breakdown of the Frozen-In

Approximation
Typical solar system plasmas:
(eVkeV thermal energies)
approximation is valid in the usual field gradients
Frozen-in motion not applicable to high energy
particles (MeV and above);
If the field gradients become large (i.e. small
scale lengths) then the frozen-in approximation
breaks down, even for low-energy particles.

On small scale-lengths, the diffusion term in the induction equation

becomes important the magnetic field diffuses through the plasma.
Magnetic Reconnection Mixing of

Plasma Populations

Magnetic Reconnection Key

Points
Application of strict frozen-in flow implied that magnetic
field and plasma from different sources could not mix;
However, the frozen-in flow approximation is not always
valid where gradients are sharp;
Reconnection allows:
1. Magnetic field regions that were previously
independent to interact;
2. The plasma populating the magnetic fields to intermix;
3. Plasma acceleration as magnetic field energy
released.
Magnetosheath
Solar
ESW
JTAIL
Wind

JMP Magnetopause
Bow Shock Interplanetary
3.618th
Formation of the Open Magnetosphere
September 2012 STFC Summer School Magnetic Field

The global convective motion of field lines that arises as a consequence
of (even relatively localized) magnetic reconnection is often called the
Dungey Cycle
The main implications:
1. Field lines reconnected at dayside are dragged tailwards at high-
latitudes, return at equatorial latitudes after tail reconnection;
2. Thus solar wind momentum is transferred into the magnetosphere;
3. Open field lines allow plasma to cross the boundary between the
magnetopause and solar wind (in both directions);
4. Plasma on field lines that are reconnected is accelerated and heated as
the field line contract away from the reconnection site;
5. N.B. These processes are modulated by the direction of the
interplanetary magnetic field:
N. IMF reduced dayside reconnection reduced convection;
S. IMF enhanced dayside reconnection enhanced convection.
Plasma Populations in an Open Magnetosphere

Time-Dependent Convection
Substorms
A process in which vast amounts of solar wind
energy (~1016 J) are first stored within the
magnetotail and then explosively released.
Involves major reconfigurations of entire solar
wind/magnetosphere/ionosphere system
Growth, expansion and recovery phases.
Controversial subject.

Substorm Growth Phase

Growth Phase Phenomenology

Ground/Ionosphere Geosynchronous Magnetotail
Dawn-dusk E-field B-field becomes Magnetopause

in polar cap more tail-like flaring increases;
intensifies; (stretched).
Lobe magnetic flux
Polar cap expands content increases;
equatorward;
Plasma sheet thins;
Fading auroral
Tail current sheet
features.
intensifies;
Slow Reconnection
of closed flux at
NENL.
Substorm Expansion Phase

Current Diversion

Substorm Auroral Activity from Space

Plasmoid
Ejection

Expansion Phase Phenomenology

Equatorward Energetic particle Fast reconnection
auroral arc brightens; injections; of open flux at NENL;
W. Electrojet B-field rapidly Lobe magnetic flux
intensifies; dipolarizes; content decreases;
High latitude -ve Substorm current Field-aligned
bays/Mid-latitude +ve wedge expands. currents/AKR
bays; intensify;
Pi2 pulsations; Plasmoid pinched
off and ejected
Poleward
downtail;
expansion of pre-
midnight auroral TCR perturbations
surge.
18th September 2012 STFC Summer School in lobes.
Recovery Phase Phenomenology

Auroral bulge fades Current wedge NENL retreats

and contracts. weakens. downtail.
Plasma sheet
thickens.
Tail currents and
fields relax.

Conclusion
Briefly reviewed some key concepts in understanding
collisionless space plasmas;
Introduced a number of applications of these
concepts (shocks, magnetosheath, radiation belts);
Introduced the basic structure and dynamics of a
magnetically open magnetosphere;
In this short lecture we have only touched on some of
the basics of the subject inevitably much has been
left out;
In addition, we have concentrated on the terrestrial
system here however, each magnetised obstacle to
the solar wind has unique aspects to its interaction
with the solar wind.

END

An Introduction To Space Plasma Physics

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UCL DEPARTMENT OF SPACE & CLIMATE PHYSICS

SPACE PLASMA PHYSICS GROUP

An Introduction to the Structure of

Lecture to the STFC Summer School, Armagh

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

Recap (?): Definition

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

The Realm of Plasma Physics

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

2. Ways to Understand Plasmas

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

2.1 Single Particle Dynamics

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

Basic Particle Motion in a Magnetic Field

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

Applications - Particle Trapping

c.f. planetary radiation belts.

Van Allen Radiation Belts

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

Frozen-in Magnetic Field

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

Gyro-periods and -radii: Typical Values

Solar Wind 1000 0.01 2 0.5 10 100

Magnetosphere 18000 0.003 1 10 0.5 50

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

Magnetic Flux Tubes

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

2.3 Kinetic Theory

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

3. Space Plasma Applications

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

3.1 The Solar Wind

Average properties at Earth:

Density ~ 7cm-3 (~ 4% He2+)

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

What happens when the solar wind encounters

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

3.2 Collisionless Shocks/Bow Shock

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

Rankine-Hugoniot (Shock Conservation)

Shock Geometry and Structure

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

2.Quasi-parallel Shock Electron Ion

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

Multiple interaction with a Q

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

3.3 The Magnetosheath

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

Gasdynamic Magnetosheath Flows

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

Density, Velocity, Temperature

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

Draped Magnetosheath Field

Plasma Depletion Layer

Magnetopause Bow Shock

18th September 2012 STFC Summer School

Chapman-Ferraro Currents - Model