A possible generation mechanism of interplanetary rotational discontinuities
Publication date: 12 August 2009
Authors: Lin, C.C. et al.
Journal: J. Geophys. Res.
Volume: 114
Issue: A8
ID: A08102
Year: 2009
Copyright: American Geophysical Union
In the present paper, we first examine some interplanetary directional discontinuities with very small Bn /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 Bn /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, Bn /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, V1n /VA1(= Bn /B), in the magnetosphere and solar wind, is usually <0.2. Therefore the generated RDs also have Bn /B < 0.2. On the other hand, the nonlinear evolution of Alfvén waves in the solar wind can generate RDs at all values of Bn /B, which contradicts to the Cluster results. We suggest that interplanetary RDs with small Bn /B are likely been generated through magnetic reconnection.
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