Current sheets

1. alternate derivation of the Harris current sheet description: The starting point is a hypothetical stable particle distribution function, described in terms of arbitrary density and mean velocity functions, and a simple field geometry. What are all possible solutions consistent with this model? Alternate derivation (33KB)
2. Fall 2006 AGU meeting poster: This is an attempt to find a computationally simple model which improves upon the Harris solution. For instance, we want a non-vanishing magnetic field component across the current sheet. We work with fluid equations describing a massless electron fluid, plus two counter-streaming ion components, and possibly a trapped ion component. Two types of ion pressure relations are examined. A full solution requires one numerical integration, but we obtain some algebraic relations between magnetic field, density, and out-of-plane flow. Poster SM53A-1425 (4.8MB)