Abstract
The S3-3, POLAR, and FAST satellite auroral observations of parallel and perpendicular electric field structures have been identified as belonging to a large “”-shaped potential structure that supports oblique electric double layers. This interpretation is verified by terrestrial laboratory measurements of a self-consistently supported three-dimensional oblique current-free double layer. Its width is a few tens of Debye lengths, its oblicity (with respect to the magnetic field) varies from 0 up to 30°, and its strength is a few times the electron temperature.
- Received 22 March 2009
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.095001
©2009 American Physical Society