Structure of the magnetotail current: Kinetic simulation and comparison with satellite observations

Abstract

The results of a three-dimensional kinetic simulation of a Harris current sheet are used to show and reproduce the ISEE-1/2, Geotail, and Cluster observations of the magnetotail current sheet structure. Current sheet flapping, current density bifurcation, and reconnection are explained as the results of the evolution of a Harris current sheet, where lower-hybrid drift, kink, and tearing instabilities are involved. Copyright 2004 by the American Geophysical Union.