Simulation of Dislocated Flux in Space Plasma Environments: Applications in Geospace Modeling and Ionosphere-Magnetosphere Coupling

Date
2015-04-23
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract

In this study, simulations of a dislocated flux tube are used to model oscillatory flow events and to explore possible ionospheric-magnetospheric coupling mechanisms. A numerical code called the Thin Filament Code (TFC) has been developed using a thin filament approximation to simulate flux tube motion in a stationary 2D background. Previous studies using similar magnetohydrodynamic thin filament models have been used to describe fast flow events and interchange oscillations in the Earth’s plasma sheet. A significantly extended numerical model is employed to explore additional applications. Simulation results include the time evolution of isolated flux tubes with a wide range of stationary background environments and boundary conditions defined by field aligned current systems. Simulations suggest that ionospheric disturbances can introduce waves that propagate to the magnetosphere triggering activity in the magnetotail. Oscillatory motion is simulated on a background model fitted to observation demonstrating new capabilities of the TFC.

Description
Degree
Master of Science
Type
Thesis
Keywords
Magnetosphere, Magnetotail
Citation

Schutza, Aaron Moore. "Simulation of Dislocated Flux in Space Plasma Environments: Applications in Geospace Modeling and Ionosphere-Magnetosphere Coupling." (2015) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. https://hdl.handle.net/1911/88148.

Has part(s)
Forms part of
Published Version
Rights
Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
Link to license
Citable link to this page