Theory of weak bipolar fields and electron holes with applications to space plasmas.
A theoretical model of weak electron phase-space holes is used to interpret bipolar field structures observed in space. In the limit ephi(max)/Te << 1 the potential of the structure has the unique form, phi(x) = phi(max)sech4(x/alpha), where phi(max) depends on the derivative of the trapped distribution at the separatrix, while alpha depends only on a screening integral over the untrapped distribution. Idealized trapped and passing electron distributions are inferred from the speed, amplitude, and shape of satellite waveform measurements of weak bipolar field structures.
Goldman
Martin V
MV
Department of Physics and CIPS, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
Newman
David L
DL
Mangeney
André
A