A magnetohydrodynamic model of whistler duct structure in the magnetosphere |
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| Authors: | S Wang JF Wang RH Comfort |
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| Institution: | The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, U.S.A. |
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| Abstract: | In this study, the physical structure for the propagation of whistler waves within a duct in the Earth's magnetosphere is investigated by means of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theory. Expressions for the current density and induced magnetic field are determined analytically and evaluated in terms of two models for the duct plasma density distribution. It is found that once the duct is formed, forces associated with the current structure will maintain it. MHD instabilities are examined briefly and found to be unlikely to threaten duct maintenance in regions where whistlers are typically observed. Examination of some effects of field-aligned currents suggest that this may be a viable mechanism for duct formation. |
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