The dynamics of electron holes in current sheets

TL;DR

This study uses 1.5D Vlasov simulations to explore how electron holes behave in Earth's magnetotail current sheets, revealing their slowing due to magnetic field non-uniformity and electrostatic effects, with implications for observed plasma phenomena.

Contribution

First detailed simulation analysis of electron hole dynamics in non-uniform magnetic and electric fields within current sheets, highlighting braking mechanisms.

Findings

Electron holes maintain their width and amplitude during propagation.

A double layer forms around electron holes, causing potential drops.

Electron holes slow down as they move toward current sheet boundaries, especially in non-uniform magnetic fields.

Abstract

We present 1.5D Vlasov code simulations of the dynamics of electron holes in non-uniform magnetic and electric fields typical of current sheets and, particularly, of the Earth's magnetotail current sheet. The simulations show that spatial width and amplitude of electron holes do not substantially vary in the course of propagation, but there arises a double layer localized around the electron hole and manifested as a drop of the electrostatic potential along the electron hole. We demonstrate that electron holes produced around the neutral plane of a current sheet slow down in the course of propagation toward the current sheet boundaries. The leading contribution to electron hole braking is provided by the non-uniform magnetic field, though electrostatic fields typical of the current sheets do provide a noticeable contribution. The simulations also show that electron holes with larger amplitudes are slowed faster. The simulation results suggest that some of slow electron holes recently reported in the Earth's plasma sheet boundary layer may appear due to braking of initially fast electron holes in the course of propagation in the current sheet.