Oblique Double Layers: A Comparison between Terrestrial and Auroral Measurements

C. Charles, R. W. Boswell, and R. Hawkins

Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 095001 – Published 26 August 2009

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 “ $U$ ”-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

Authors & Affiliations

C. Charles^1,*, R. W. Boswell¹, and R. Hawkins²

¹Space Plasma, Power and Propulsion Group, Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, ACT 0200, Australia
²Supercomputing facility, The Australian National University, ACT 0200, Australia

^*To whom correspondence should be addressed. christine.charles@anu.edu.au

Comments & Replies

Comment on “Oblique Double Layers: A Comparison between Terrestrial and Auroral Measurements”

Nagendra Singh

Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 079501 (2011)

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Issue

Vol. 103, Iss. 9 — 28 August 2009

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