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Ion-scale magnetic holes are nonlinear plasma structures commonly observed in the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere. These holes are characterized by the magnetic field depletion filled by hot, transversely anisotropic ions and electrons and are likely formed during the nonlinear stage of ion mirror instability. Due to the plasma thermal anisotropy within magnetic holes, they serve as a host of electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves, whistler-mode waves, and electron cyclotron harmonic waves. This makes magnetic holes an important element of the Earth's inner magnetosphere, where electromagnetic waves generated within may strongly contribute to energetic ion and electron scattering. Such scattering, however, will modify the hot-ion distribution that is trapped within magnetic holes and responsible for the magnetic field stress balance. Therefore, hot ion scattering within magnetic holes likely determines the hole lifetime. In this study, we investigate how ion scattering by electromagnetic waves affects the stress balance and lifetime of magnetic holes. For illustration, we used typical characteristics of magnetic holes, ion populations, and ion cyclotron waves observed in the Earth's magnetosphere. We have demonstrated that ion distribution isotropization via scattering by waves does not change significantly magnetic hole magnitude, but ion losses due to scattering into the atmosphere may limit the hole life-times to 10–30 min in the Earth's inner magnetosphere.
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Nonlinear Ion-acoustic Waves, Ion Holes, and Electron Holes in the Near-Sun Solar Wind
Abstract Nonlinear ion-acoustic waves, ion holes, and electron holes have been observed on the Parker Solar Probe at a heliocentric distance of 35 solar radii. These time domain structures contain millisecond duration electric field spikes of several mV m−1. They are observed inside or at boundaries of switchbacks in the background magnetic field. Their presence in switchbacks indicates that both electron- and ion-streaming electrostatic instabilities occur there to thermalize electron and ion beams.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2026680
- PAR ID:
- 10362521
- Publisher / Repository:
- DOI PREFIX: 10.3847
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- The Astrophysical Journal
- Volume:
- 911
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 0004-637X
- Format(s):
- Medium: X Size: Article No. 89
- Size(s):
- Article No. 89
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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