Publications

2010

• Simultaneous FAST and Double Star TC1 observations of broadband electrons during a storm time substorm
  
  • Nakajima A.
  • Shiokawa K.
  • Seki K.
  • Nakamura R.
  • Keika K.
  • Baumjohann W.
  • Takada T.
  • Mcfadden J. P.
  • Carlson C. W.
  • Fazakerley A.
  • Rème H.
  • Dandouras I.
  • Strangeway R. J.
  • Le Contel Olivier
  • Cornilleau-Wehrlin Nicole
  • Yearby K. H.
  Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics, American Geophysical Union/Wiley, 2010, 115, pp.7217. Broadband electrons (BBEs) exhibit remarkable electron flux enhancements over a broad energy range (0.03-30 keV) near the equatorward edge of the auroral oval during geomagnetic storms. Here, we report a BBE event observed by the Fast Auroral Snapshot (FAST) satellite at 1355-1359 UT, 61°-66° invariant latitudes, 0600 magnetic local time (MLT), and 3800 km altitude during a storm on 25 July 2004. The Double Star (DS) TC1 satellite was located near the magnetic equator at L = 5.7, close to the same local time as FAST. We investigate the acceleration process of BBEs from the inner magnetosphere to near the ionosphere by comparing electron data obtained by FAST and DS TC1. We also investigate both plasma and field variations in the inner magnetosphere associated with substorm onset using DS TC1 data to examine the relationship between the BBEs and the storm time substorm. Ground geomagnetic field data show a positive H-bay at 1349 UT at 0600 MLT, indicating that a storm time substorm started just before the appearance of the BBEs. At 1350 UT, a tailward ion flow was observed by DS TC1. Then, DS TC1 observed a local dipolarization and a drastic ion density enhancement at 1351 UT, indicating that particle heating associated with the substorm was occurring in the inner magnetosphere. From 1352 UT, electron fluxes were isotropically enhanced at energies above 0.5 keV as observed by DS TC1. On the other hand, the pitch angle distribution of BBEs at the FAST altitude showed field-aligned lower-energy electrons below 0.5 keV and isotropic higher-energy electrons above 0.5 keV. From these data, it was inferred that the BBEs might consist of two energy components due to the acceleration or heating of electrons at different altitudes in association with the storm time substorm. (10.1029/2009JA014907)
  DOI : 10.1029/2009JA014907
• Design criteria and validation of a vacuum load current multiplier on a mega-ampere microsecond inductive storage generator
  
  • Chuvatin Alexandre S.
  • Kim A. A.
  • Kokshenev V. A.
  • Kovalchuk Boris M.
  • Lassalle Francis
  • Calamy Hervé
  • Krishnan M.
  Laser and Particle Beams, Cambridge University Press (CUP), 2010, 28 (3), pp.361-369. The load current multiplier concept (LCM) was suggested for improving the energy transfer efficiency from pulse power generators to loads. The concept was initially demonstrated at atmospheric pressure and dielectric insulation on a compact, 100 kA, microsecond capacitor bank. This paper reports on the LCM design criteria for mega-ampere vacuum pulse power when the LCM comprises a large-inductance magnetic flux extruder cavity without a magnetic core. The analytical and numerical design approach presented was experimentally validated on GIT12 mega-ampere inductive energy storage generator with a constant-inductance load. The LCM technique increased the peak load current from typically 4.6 MA at 1.87 µs on this generator, to 6.43 MA at 2.0 µs. The electromagnetic power into a ~10 nH load increased from 100 GW to 230 GW. This result is in good agreement with the presented numerical simulations and it corresponds to a 95% increase of the achievable magnetic pressure at 8 cm radius in the load. The compact, LCM hardware allows the GIT12 generator to operate more efficiently without modifying the stored energy or architecture. The demonstrated load power and energy increase using the LCM concept is of importance for further studies on power amplification in vacuum and high energy density physics. (10.1017/S0263034610000224)
  DOI : 10.1017/S0263034610000224
• Whistler waves guided by density depletion ducts in a magnetoplasma
  
  • Bakharev P. V.
  • Zaboronkova T. M.
  • Kudrin A. V.
  • Krafft C.
  Fizika Plazmy / Plasma Physics Reports, MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica, 2010, 36 (11), pp.919-930. The guided propagation of whistler waves along cylindrical density depletion ducts in a magneto-plasma is studied. It is shown that, under certain conditions, such ducts can support volume and surface eigenmodes. The dispersion properties and field structure of whistler modes guided by density depletion ducts are analyzed. The effect of collisional losses in the plasma on the properties of modes is discussed. (10.1134/S1063780X10110012)
  DOI : 10.1134/S1063780X10110012
• Design of magnetic concentrators for high sensitivity anisotropic magnetoresistor devices
  
  • Mansour Malik
  • Coillot Christophe
  • Chanteur Gérard
  • Roux A.
  • Nguyen van Dau Frédéric
  Journal of Applied Physics, American Institute of Physics, 2010, 107, pp.09E707. In this work, a very promising shape of magnetic concentrators taking advantage of the symmetrical flux leakage of Mn-Zn ferrite magnetic cores is presented. This configuration consists of two ferromagnetic rods separated by two air gaps allowing to place anisotropic magnetoresistance sensors in the core axis. Results from three-dimensional finite elements modeling are presented. We show that an appropriate shape optimization of core extremities enables to improve significantly the amplification factor without any increase in length. (10.1063/1.3337747)
  DOI : 10.1063/1.3337747
• Ion dynamics during compression of Mercury's magnetosphere
  
  • Delcourt Dominique C.
  • Moore T. E.
  • Fok M.-C. H.
  Annales Geophysicae, European Geosciences Union, 2010, 28, pp.1467-1474. Because of the small planetary magnetic field as well as proximity to the Sun that leads to enhanced solar wind pressure as compared to Earth, the magnetosphere of Mercury is very dynamical and at times subjected to prominent compression. We investigate the dynamics of magnetospheric ions during such compression events. Using three-dimensional single-particle simulations, we show that the electric field induced by the time varying magnetic field can lead to significant ion energization, up to several hundreds of eVs or a few keVs. This energization occurs in a nonadiabatic manner, being characterized by large enhancements of the ion magnetic moment and bunching in gyration phase. It is obtained when the ion cyclotron period is comparable to the field variation time scale. This condition for nonadiabatic heating is realized in distinct regions of space for ions with different mass-to-charge ratios. During compression of Mercury's magnetosphere, heavy ions originating from the planetary exosphere may be subjected to such an abrupt energization, leading to loading of the magnetospheric lobes with energetic material. (10.5194/angeo-28-1467-2010)
  DOI : 10.5194/angeo-28-1467-2010
• Global response to local ionospheric mass ejection
  
  • Moore T. E.
  • Fok M.-C. H.
  • Delcourt Dominique C.
  • Slinker Steve P.
  • Fedder Joel A.
  Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics, American Geophysical Union/Wiley, 2010, 115 (A12). We revisit a reported "Ionospheric Mass Ejection" using prior event observations to guide a global simulation of local ionospheric outflows, global magnetospheric circulation, and plasma sheet pressurization, and comparing our results with the observed global response. Our simulation framework is based on test particle motions in the Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry (LFM) global circulation model electromagnetic fields. The inner magnetosphere is simulated with the Comprehensive Ring Current Model (CRCM) of Fok and Wolf, driven by the transpolar potential developed by the LFM magnetosphere, and includes an embedded plasmaspheric simulation. Global circulation is stimulated using the observed solar wind conditions for the period 24-25 September 1998. This period begins with the arrival of a Coronal Mass Ejection, initially with northward, but later with southward interplanetary magnetic field. Test particles are launched from the ionosphere with fluxes specified by local empirical relationships of outflow to electrodynamic and particle precipitation imposed by the MHD simulation. Particles are tracked until they are lost from the system downstream or into the atmosphere, using the full equations of motion. Results are compared with the observed ring current and a simulation of polar and auroral wind outflows driven globally by solar wind dynamic pressure. We find good quantitative agreement with the observed ring current, and reasonable qualitative agreement with earlier simulation results, suggesting that the solar wind driven global simulation generates realistic energy dissipation in the ionosphere and that the Strangeway relations provide a realistic local outflow description. (10.1029/2010JA015640)
  DOI : 10.1029/2010JA015640
• The WHISPER Relaxation Sounder and the CLUSTER Active Archive
  
  • Trotignon Jean-Gabriel
  • Décréau Pierrette
  • Rauch Jean-Louis
  • Vallières Xavier
  • Rochel A.
  • Kougblénou S.
  • Lointier G.
  • Facskó G.
  • Canu Patrick
  • Darrouzet F.
  • Masson A.
  • Taylor M.
  • Escoubet C. Philippe
  , 2010, pp.185-208. The Waves of HIgh frequency and Sounder for Probing of Electron density by Relaxation (WHISPER) instrument is part of the Wave Experiment Consortium (WEC) of the CLUSTER mission. With the help of the long double sphere antennae of the Electric Field and Wave (EFW) instrument and the Digital Wave Processor (DWP), it delivers active (sounding) and natural (transmitter off) electric field spectra, respectively from 4 to 82 kHz, and from 2 to 80 kHz. These frequency ranges have been chosen to include the electron plasma frequency, which is closely related to the total electron density, in most of the regions encountered by the CLUSTER spacecraft. Presented here is an overview of the WHISPER data products available in the CLUSTER Active Archive (CAA). The instrument and its performance are first recalled. The way the WHISPER products are obtained is then described, with particular attention being paid to the density determination. Both sounding and natural measurements are commonly used in this process, which depends on the ambient plasma regime. This is illustrated using drawings similar to the Bryant plots commonly used in the CLUSTER master science plan. These give a clear overview of typical density values and the parts of the orbits where they are obtained. More information on the applied software or on the quality/reliability of the density determination can also be highlighted. (10.1007/978-90-481-3499-1_12)
  DOI : 10.1007/978-90-481-3499-1_12
• Surface loss rates of H and Cl atoms in an inductively coupled plasma etcher using time-resolved electron density and optical emission measurements
  
  • Curley G. A.
  • Gatilova L.
  • Guilet S.
  • Bouchoule S.
  • Gogna G. S.
  • Sirse Nishant
  • Karkari S.
  • Booth Jean-Paul
  Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A, American Vacuum Society, 2010, 28 (2), pp.360-372. A study is undertaken of the loss kinetics of H and Cl atoms in an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) reactor used for the etching of III-V semiconductor materials. A time-resolved optical emission spectroscopy technique, also referred to as pulsed induced fluorescence (PIF), has been combined with time-resolved microwave hairpin probe measurements of the electron density in a pulsed Cl2/H2-based discharge for this purpose. The surface loss rate of H, kwH, was measured in H2 plasma and was found to lie in the 125500 s−1 range (γH surface recombination coefficient of ∼ 0.0060.023), depending on the reactor walls conditioning. The PIF technique was then evaluated for the derivation of kwCl, and γCl in Cl2-based plasmas. In contrast to H2 plasma, significant variations in the electron density may occur over the millisecond time scale corresponding to Cl2 dissociation at the rising edge of the plasma pulse. By comparing the temporal evolution of the electron density and the Ar-line intensity curves with 10% of Ar added in the discharge, the authors show that a time-resolved actinometry procedure using Ar as an actinometer is valid at low to moderate ICP powers to estimate the Cl loss rate. They measured a Cl loss rate of ∼ 125200 s−1 (0.03 ≤ γCl ≤ 0.06) at 150 W ICP power for a reactor state close to etching conditions. The Cl surface loss rate was also estimated for high ICP power (800 W) following the same procedure, giving a value of ∼ 130150 s−1 (γCl ∼ 0.04), which is close to that measured at 150 W ICP power. (10.1116/1.3330766)
  DOI : 10.1116/1.3330766
• MD simulations of GaN sputtering by Ar<SUP>+</SUP> ions : Ion-induced damage and near-surface modification under continuous bombardment
  
  • Despiau-Pujo Emilie
  • Chabert Pascal
  Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A, American Vacuum Society, 2010, 28 (5), pp.1105. Results from molecular dynamics simulations of continuous 50200 eV Ar bombardment on wurtzite and zinc blende GaN surfaces are reported. A new analytical bond-order potential, originally developed for growth process studies, is used to investigate the low-energy physical sputtering of GaN compounds. Preferential sputtering of N atoms is initially observed up to 3.5×1015&#8194;ions/cm2 fluence, after which the layers reach steady state sputtering. The crystalline structure of the GaN sample does not have a major influence on the sputtering yield due to the rapid amorphization of the top surface after a few hundred impacts. Concentration depth profiles indicate a surface enrichment in gallium with a N/Ga concentration ratio equal to 0.59±0.1 for 100 eV bombardment, in agreement with published experimental studies. For the same conditions, Ga, N, and GaN species represent 25, 60, and 7% of the sputtered products. A significant fraction of those products leave the surface with kinetic energies sufficiently high to damage the passivation layers on sidewalls during etching processes dominated by physical bombardment. (10.1116/1.3460904)
  DOI : 10.1116/1.3460904
• Théorie des Plasmas
  
  • Firpo Marie-Christine
  Flash X - La revue scientifique de l'Ecole polytechnique, Ecole polytechnique, 2010, 12, pp.26-27. ISSN : 1775-0385
• Three dimensional anisotropic k-spectra of turbulence at sub-proton scales in the solar wind
  
  • Sahraoui Fouad
  • Goldstein M.L.
  • Belmont Gérard
  • Canu Patrick
  • Rezeau Laurence
  Physical Review Letters, American Physical Society, 2010 (105), pp.131101. We show the first three dimensional (3D) dispersion relations and k spectra of magnetic turbulence in the solar wind at subproton scales. We used the Cluster data with short separations and applied the k-filtering technique to the frequency range where the transition to subproton scales occurs. We show that the cascade is carried by highly oblique kinetic Alfve´n waves with !plas 0:1!ci down to k?i 2. Each k spectrum in the direction perpendicular to B0 shows two scaling ranges separated by a breakpoint (in the interval ½0:4; 1k?i): a Kolmogorov scaling k1:7 ? followed by a steeper scaling k4:5 ? . We conjecture that the turbulence undergoes a transition range, where part of the energy is dissipated into proton heating via Landau damping and the remaining energy cascades down to electron scales where electron Landau damping may predominate. (10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.131101)
  DOI : 10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.131101
• Observations multi-satellitaires de l'interaction Vent Solaire - Magnétosphère
  
  • Sahraoui Fouad
  • Cornilleau-Wehrlin Nicole
  Flash X - La revue scientifique de l'Ecole polytechnique, Ecole polytechnique, 2010, 12, pp.33-34. ISSN : 1775-0385
• Plasmas de Fusion Magnétique
  
  • Hennequin Pascale
  Flash X - La revue scientifique de l'Ecole polytechnique, Ecole polytechnique, 2010, 12, pp.25-26. ISSN : 1775-0385
• RPWS_ViToS
  
  • Piberne Rodrigue
  • Canu Patrick
  , 2010. RPWS_ViToS is an IDL software for data processing and visualization of the RPW instrument of the Cassini mission.
• Wave-particle interactions in the equatorial source region of whistler-mode emissions
  
  • Santolík Ondrej
  • Gurnett D. A.
  • Pickett J. S.
  • Grimald S.
  • Décréau Pierrette
  • Parrot Michel
  • Cornilleau-Wehrlin Nicole
  • El-Lemdani Mazouz Farida
  • Schriver D.
  • Meredith N. P.
  • Fazakerley A.
  Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics, American Geophysical Union/Wiley, 2010, 115 (A8). Wave-particle interactions can play a key role in the process of transfer of energy between different electron populations in the outer Van Allen radiation belt. We present a case study of wave-particle interactions in the equatorial source region of whistler-mode emissions. We select measurements of the Cluster spacecraft when these emissions are observed in the form of random hiss with only occasional discrete chorus wave packets, and where the wave propagation properties are very similar to previously analyzed cases of whistler-mode chorus. We observe a positive divergence of the Poynting flux at minima of the magnetic field modulus along the magnetic field lines, indicating the central position of the source. In this region we perform a linear stability analysis based on the locally measured electron phase space densities. We find two unstable electron populations. The first of them consists of energy-dispersed and highly anisotropic injected electrons at energies of a few hundreds eV to a few keV, with the perpendicular temperature more than 10 times higher than the parallel temperature with respect to the magnetic field line. Another unstable population is formed by trapped electrons at energies above 10 keV. We show that the injected electrons at lower energies can be responsible for a part of the waves that propagate obliquely at frequencies above one half of the electron cyclotron frequency. Our model of the trapped electrons at higher energies gives insufficient growth of the waves below one half of the electron cyclotron frequency and a nonlinear generation mechanism might be necessary to explain their presence even in this simple case. (10.1029/2009JA015218)
  DOI : 10.1029/2009JA015218
• Scientific objectives and instrumentation of Mercury Plasma Particle Experiment (MPPE) onboard MMO
  
  • Saito Y.
  • Sauvaud J.-A.
  • Hirahara M.
  • Barabash S.
  • Delcourt Dominique C.
  • Takashima T.
  • Asamura K.
  Planetary and Space Science, Elsevier, 2010, 58 (1-2), pp.182-200. Mercury is one of the least explored planets in our solar system. Until the recent flyby of Mercury by MESSENGER, no spacecraft had visited Mercury since Mariner 10 made three flybys: two in 1974 and one in 1975. In order to elucidate the detailed plasma structure and dynamics around Mercury, an orbiter BepiColombo MMO (Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter) is planned to be launched in 2013 as a joint mission between ESA and ISAS/JAXA. Mercury Plasma Particle Experiment (MPPE) was proposed in order to investigate the plasma/particle environment around Mercury. MPPE is a comprehensive instrument package for plasma, high-energy particle and energetic neutral atom measurements. It consists of seven sensors: two Mercury electron analyzers (MEA1 and MEA2), Mercury ion analyzer (MIA), Mercury mass spectrum analyzer (MSA), high-energy particle instrument for electron (HEP-ele), high-energy particle instrument for ion (HEP-ion), and energetic neutrals analyzer (ENA). Since comprehensive full three-dimensional simultaneous measurements of low to high-energy ions and electrons around Mercury as well as measurements of energetic neutral atoms will not be realized before BepiColombo/MMO's arrival at Mercury, it is expected that many unresolved problems concerning the Mercury magnetosphere will be elucidated by the MPPE observation. (10.1016/j.pss.2008.06.003)
  DOI : 10.1016/j.pss.2008.06.003
• The Plasma Wave Investigation (PWI) onboard the BepiColombo/MMO: First measurement of electric fields, electromagnetic waves, and radio waves around Mercury
  
  • Kasaba Y.
  • Bougeret J.-L.
  • Blomberg L. G.
  • Kojima H.
  • Yagitani S.
  • Moncuquet M.
  • Trotignon Jean-Gabriel
  • Chanteur Gérard
  • Kumamoto A.
  • Kasahara Y.
  • Lichtenberger J.
  • Omura Y.
  • Ishisaka K.
  • Matsumoto H.
  Planetary and Space Science, Elsevier, 2010, 58 (1-2), pp.238-278. The BepiColombo Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) spacecraft includes the plasma and radio wave observation system called Plasma Wave Investigation (PWI). Since the receivers for electric field, plasma waves, and radio waves are not installed in any of the preceding spacecraft to Mercury, the PWI will provide the first opportunity for conducting in-situ and remote-sensing observations of electric fields, plasma waves, and radio waves in the Hermean magnetosphere and exosphere. These observations are valuable in studying structure, dynamics, and energy exchange processes in the unique magnetosphere of Mercury. They are characterized by the key words of the non-MHD environment and the peculiar interaction between the relatively large planet without ionosphere and the solar wind with high dynamic pressure. The PWI consists of three sets of receivers (EWO, SORBET, and AM<SUP>2</SUP>P), connected to two sets of electric field sensors (MEFISTO and WPT) and two kinds of magnetic field sensors (LF-SC and DB-SC). The PWI will observe both waveforms and frequency spectra in the frequency range from DC to 10 MHz for the electric field and from 0.3 Hz to 640 kHz for the magnetic field. From 2008, we will start the development of the engineering model, which is conceptually consistent with the flight model design. The present paper discusses the significance and objectives of plasma/radio wave observations in the Hermean magnetosphere, and describes the PWI sensors, receivers and their performance as well as the onboard data processing. (10.1016/j.pss.2008.07.017)
  DOI : 10.1016/j.pss.2008.07.017
• Operation of a load current multiplier on a nanosecond mega-ampere pulse forming line generator
  
  • Chuvatin Alexandre S.
  • Kantsyrev Viktor L.
  • Rudakov Leonid I.
  • Cuneo Michael E.
  • Astanovitskiy A. L.
  • Presura Radu
  • Safronova Alla S.
  • Cline W.
  • Williamson Kenneth M.
  • Shrestha Ishor
  • Osborne Glenn C.
  • Le Galloudec B.
  • Nalajala Vidya
  • Pointon T. D.
  • Mikkelson K. A.
  Physical Review Special Topics: Accelerators and Beams, American Physical Society, 2010, 13 (1), pp.010401. We investigate the operation of a load current multiplier (LCM) on a pulse-forming-line nanosecond pulse-power generator. Potential benefits of using the LCM technique on such generators are studied analytically for a simplified case. A concrete LCM design on the Zebra accelerator (1.9 Ohm, &#8764;1&#8201;&#8201;MA, 100 ns) is described. This design is demonstrated experimentally with high-voltage power pulses having a rise time of dozens of nanoseconds. Higher currents and magnetic energies were observed in constant-inductance solid-state loads when a better generator-to-load energy coupling was achieved. The load current on Zebra was increased from the nominal 0.80.9 MA up to about 1.6 MA. This result was obtained without modifying the generator energetics or architecture and it is in good agreement with the presented numerical simulations. Validation of the LCM technique at a nanosecond time scale is of importance for the high-energy-density physics research. (10.1103/PhysRevSTAB.13.010401)
  DOI : 10.1103/PhysRevSTAB.13.010401
• A simple model of intrinsic rotation in high confinement regime tokamak plasmas
  
  • Gürcan Özgür D.
  • Diamond P.H.
  • Mcdevitt C.J.
  • Hahm T.S.
  Physics of Plasmas, American Institute of Physics, 2010, 17, pp.032509. A simple unified model of intrinsic rotation and momentum transport in high confinement regime (H-mode) tokamak plasmas is presented. Motivated by the common dynamics of the onset of intrinsic rotation and the L-H transition, this simple model combines E×B shear-driven residual stress in the pedestal with a turbulent equipartition pinch to yield rotation profiles. The residual stress is the primary mechanism for buildup of intrinsic rotation in the H-mode pedestal, while the pinch drives on-axis peaking of rotation profiles. Analytical estimates for pedestal flow velocities are given in terms of the pedestal width, the pedestal height, and various model parameters. The predicted scaling of the toroidal flow speed with pedestal width is found to be consistent with the International Tokamak Physics Activity database global scaling of the flow speed on-axis with the total plasma stored energy. (10.1063/1.3339909)
  DOI : 10.1063/1.3339909
• Observation and theoretical modeling of electron scale solar wind turbulence
  
  • Sahraoui Fouad
  • Belmont Gérard
  • Goldstein M. L.
  • Kiyani K. H.
  • Robert Patrick
  • Canu Patrick
  , 2010.
• Chorus source region localization in the Earth's outer magnetosphere using THEMIS measurements
  
  • Agapitov O
  • Krasnoselskikh V
  • Zaliznyak Yu
  • Angelopoulos V
  • Le Contel Olivier
  • Rolland G
  Annales Geophysicae, European Geosciences Union, 2010, 28, pp.1377–1386. Discrete ELF/VLF chorus emissions, the most intense electromagnetic plasma waves observed in the Earth's radiation belts and outer magnetosphere, are thought to propagate roughly along magnetic field lines from a localized source region near the magnetic equator towards the magnetic poles. THEMIS project Electric Field Instrument (EFI) and Search Coil Magnetometer (SCM) measurements were used to determine the spatial scale of the chorus source lo-calization region on the day side of the Earth's outer magne-tosphere. We present simultaneous observations of the same chorus elements registered onboard several THEMIS spacecraft in 2007 when all the spacecraft were in the same orbit. Discrete chorus elements were observed at 0.15–0.25 of the local electron gyrofrequency, which is typical for the outer magnetosphere. We evaluated the Poynting flux and wave vector distribution and obtained chorus wave packet quasi-parallel propagation to the local magnetic field. Amplitude and phase correlation data analysis allowed us to estimate the characteristic spatial correlation scale transverse to the local magnetic field to be in the 2800–3200 km range. Keywords. Electromagnetics (Random media and rough surfaces) – Magnetospheric physics (Plasma waves and in-stabilities) – Radio science (Remote sensing) (10.5194/angeo-28-1377-2010)
  DOI : 10.5194/angeo-28-1377-2010
• Non adiabatic electron behavior through a supercritical perpendicular collisionless shock: Impact of the shock front turbulence
  
  • Savoini Philippe
  • Lembège Bertrand
  Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics, American Geophysical Union/Wiley, 2010, 115 (A11), pp.A11103. Adiabatic and nonadiabatic electrons transmitted through a supercritical perpendicular shock wave are analyzed with the help of test particle simulations based on field components issued from 2 − D full-particle simulation. A previous analysis (Savoini et al., 2005) based on 1 − D shock profile, including mainly a ramp (no apparent foot) and defined at a fixed time, has identified three distinct electron populations: adiabatic, overadiabatic, and underadiabatic, respectively, identified by μds/μus ≈ 1, >1 and <1, where μus and μds are the magnetic momenta in the upstream and downstream regions. Presently, this study is extended by investigating the impact of the time evolution of 2 − D shock front dynamics on these three populations. Analysis of individual time particle trajectories is performed and completed by statistics based on the use of different upstream velocity distributions (spherical shell of radius vshell and a Maxwellian with thermal velocity vthe). In all statistics, the three electron populations are clearly recovered. Two types of shock front nonstationarity are analyzed. First, the impact of the nonstationarity along the shock normal (due to the front self-reformation only) strongly depends on the values of vshell or vthe. For low values, the percentages of adiabatic and overadiabatic electrons are almost comparable but become anticorrelated under the filtering impact of the self-reformation; the percentage of the underadiabatic population remains almost unchanged. In contrast, for large values, this impact becomes negligible and the adiabatic population alone becomes dominant. Second, when 2 − D nonstationarity effects along the shock front (moving rippling) are fully included, all three populations are strongly diffused, leading to a larger heating; the overadiabatic population becomes largely dominant (and even larger than the adiabatic one) and mainly contributes to the energy spectrum. (10.1029/2010JA015381)
  DOI : 10.1029/2010JA015381
• Formation of a sodium ring in Mercury's magnetosphere
  
  • Yagi Manabu
  • Seki K.
  • Matsumoto Y.
  • Delcourt Dominique C.
  • Leblanc François
  Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics, American Geophysical Union/Wiley, 2010, 115 (A10), pp.A10253. We have performed a statistical analysis of exospheric sodium ion paths in Mercury's magnetosphere under northward interplanetary magnetic field conditions. Electric and magnetic field models used in the simulation were obtained from a global MHD simulation model, whereas the initial conditions of test Na+ ions were derived from a sodium exosphere model. We observe the formation of a ring-shaped high-pressure region consisting of energetic sodium ions traveling around the planet close to the equatorial plane. The configuration of this "sodium ring" as well as the acceleration processes leading to its formation strongly depend on the solar wind conditions. When the dynamic pressure is low, most of the Na+ are picked up in the magnetosphere and accelerated by the large-scale convective electric field. In contrast, in the case of high dynamic pressure, ions that are picked up in the magnetosheath and penetrate into the magnetosphere significantly contribute to the sodium ring. The configuration of this ring also depends upon the intensity of the solar wind electric field. Our analysis reveals that the pressure built by the Na+ ions may be significant as compared to the MHD pressure around the planet. (10.1029/2009JA015226)
  DOI : 10.1029/2009JA015226
• A comparison of global models for the solar wind interaction with Mars
  
  • Brain D.
  • Barabash S.
  • Boesswetter A.
  • Bougher S.
  • Brecht S.
  • Chanteur Gérard
  • Hurley D.
  • Dubinin Eduard
  • Fang X.
  • Fraenz M.
  • Halekas J.
  • Harnett E.
  • Holmstrom M.
  • Kallio E.
  • Lammer H.
  • Ledvina S.
  • Liemohn M.
  • Liu K.
  • Luhmann J.
  • Ma Y.
  • Modolo Ronan
  • Nagy A.
  • Motschmann U.
  • Nilsson Hans
  • Shinagawa H.
  • Simon Sunil
  • Terada N.
  Icarus, Elsevier, 2010, 206 (1), pp.139-151. We present initial results from the first community-wide effort to compare global plasma interaction model results for Mars. Seven modeling groups participated in this activity, using MHD, multi-fluid, and hybrid assumptions in their simulations. Moderate solar wind and solar EUV conditions were chosen, and the conditions were implemented in the models and run to steady state. Model output was compared in three ways to determine how pressure was partitioned and conserved in each model, the location and asymmetry of plasma boundaries and pathways for planetary ion escape, and the total escape flux of planetary oxygen ions. The two participating MHD models provided similar results, while the five sets of multi-fluid and hybrid results were different in many ways. All hybrid results, however, showed two main channels for oxygen ion escape (a pickup ion 'plume' in the hemisphere toward which the solar wind convection electric field is directed, and a channel in the opposite hemisphere of the central magnetotail), while the MHD models showed one (a roughly symmetric channel in the central magnetotail). Most models showed a transition from an upstream region dominated by plasma dynamic pressure to a magnetosheath region dominated by thermal pressure to a low altitude region dominated by magnetic pressure. However, calculated escape rates for a single ion species varied by roughly an order of magnitude for similar input conditions, suggesting that the uncertainties in both the current and integrated escape over martian history as determined by models are large. These uncertainties are in addition to those associated with the evolution of the Sun, the martian dynamo, and the early atmosphere, highlighting the challenges we face in constructing Mars' past using models. (10.1016/j.icarus.2009.06.030)
  DOI : 10.1016/j.icarus.2009.06.030
• Bilan et Perspective 2006 - 2009, Programme National Soleil Terre
  
  • Fontaine Dominique
  • Vilmer N.
  , 2010.