Hybrid modeling of the formation and structure of thin current sheets in the magnetotail

摘要

Hybrid simulations are used to investigate the formation of a thin current sheet inside the plasma sheet of a magnetotail-like configuration. The initial equilibrium is subjected to a driving electric field qualitatively similar to what would be expected from solar wind driving. As a result, we find the formation of a raw current sheet, with a thickness of approximately the ion inertial length. The current density inside the current sheet region is supplied largely by the electrons. Ion acceleration in the cross-tail direction is absent due since the driving electric field fails to penetrate into the equatorial region.