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- Rothwell, P.L., et al.
(author)
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Substorm breakup on closed field lines
- 1988
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In: Advances in Space Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0273-1177. ; 8, s. 347-350
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This model explains why breakup has been observed as low as L = 5-6 and predicts that a higher concentration of O+ in the plasma sheet will permit breakup at such low L values. It is argued that the establishment of a coupled current structure within a single arc leads to a quasi-stable system i.e. the pre-breakup regime. Perturbation of the pre-breakup structure leads to an instability criterion. Certain quiescent configurations are inherently unstable. Thus transitions from a stable to an unstable situation can trigger a rapid poleward expansion of the quiescent arc or substorm breakup. In our model the kinetic energy of injected plasma from the magnetotail supplies the energy for breakup. © 1989.
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