Engineering topics

Hau, L.-N.

Publications and source records attributed to Hau, L.-N..

5 records

NASA NTRS1995

Penetration of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field B(sub y) into Earth's Plasma Sheet

There has been considerable recent interest in the relationship between the cross-tail magnetic field component B(sub y) and tail dynamics. The purpose of this paper is to give an overall description of the penetration of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) B(sub y) into the near-Earth plasma sheet. We show that plasma sheet B(sub y) may be generated by the differential shear motion of field lines and enhanced by flux tube compression. The latter mechanism leads to a B(sub y) analogue of the pressure-balance inconsistency as flux tubes move from the far tail toward the Earth. The growth of B(sub y), however, may be limited by the dawn-dusk asymmetry in the shear velocity as a result of plasma sheet tilting. B(sub y) penetration into the plasma sheet implies field-aligned currents flowing between hemispheres. These currents together with the IMF B(sub y) related mantle field-aligned currents effectively shield the lobe from the IMF B(sub y).

Hau, L.-N.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Double-polytropic closure in the magentosheath

The magnetosheath plasma is usually neither isotropic nor adiabatic. This paper contains an attempt to decribe its thermodynamic properties in terms of two polytropic laws, p(sub perpendicular)/rho B(exp gamma(sub perpendicular)-1) = C(sub perpendicular) and p(sub parallel)B(exp gamma(sub parallel)-1)/rho(exp gamma(sub parallel)) = C(sub parallel), such that for gamma(sub perpendicular) = 2, gamma(sub parallel) = 3 the usual Chew-Goldberger-Low double-adiabatic expressions are recovered and for gamma(sub perpendicular) = 1, gamma(sub parallel) = 1 double-isothermal conditions are obtained. Using data from the AMPTE/IRM spacecraft, we show that the subsolar magnetosheath plasma may be better described by the double-polytropic laws than by the mirror instability threshold, in particular in the low beta region near the magnetopause. The inferred polytropic exponents vary from event to event but are typically in the ranges of gamma(sub perpendicular) = 0.94 +/- 0.10 and gamma(sub parallel) = 1.14 +/- 0.13 for the 29 cases we have examined.

Hau, L.-N.↗

NASA NTRS1992

On steady field-aligned double-adiabatic flow

The paper summarizes the four general double-adiabatic invariants governing ideal MHD flow in a narrow tube and renders them in a form suitable for the calculation of flow in tubes of nonconstant cross-sectional area. Results for converging-diverging flux tubes are developed and compared to single-adiabatic results which are identical to those for ordinary gasdynamic flow. It is found that in certain parameter regimes the governing equation for the vector potential is elliptic and can be reduced to Laplace's equation by simple stretching of one coordinate. In other regimes the equation is hyperbolic, indicating the presence of wave patterns. The relevance of these results to flow over magnetopause undulations, including flux transfer events, is discussed.

Sonnerup, B. U. O.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Steady state magnetic field configurations for the earth's magnetotail

A two-dimensional, force-balance magnetic field model is presented. The theoretical existence of a steady state magnetic field configuration that is force-balanced and consistent with slow, lossless, adiabatic, earthward convection within the limit of the ideal MHD is demonstrated. A numerical solution is obtained for a two-dimensional magnetosphere with a rectangular magnetopause and nonflaring tail. The results are consistent with the convection time sequences reported by Erickson (1985).

Hau, L.-N.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Effect of a localized minimum in equatorial field strength on resistive tearing instability in the geomagnetotail

A two-dimensional, resistive-MHD computer code is used to investigate the spontaneous reconnection of magnetotaillike configurations. The initial conditions adopted in the simulations are of two types: (1) in which the equatorial normal magnetic field component B(ze) declines monotonically down the tail, and (2) in which B(ze) exhibits a deep minimum in the near-earth plasma sheet. To represent the case where the earthward convection stops before the X line forms, zero-flow boundary conditions are imposed at the edges of the computational box. The initial configurations are in equilibrium and table within ideal MHD. The dynamic evolution of the system starts after the resistivity is turned on. The main results of these simulations basically support the neutral-line model of substorms and confirm Birn's (1980) computer studies. Spontaneous formation of an X-type neutral point and a single O-type plasmoid with strong tailward flow on the tailward side of the X point is found. The time interval from the turning on of the resistivity to the formation of a plasmoid is much shorter in the case where there is an initial deep minimum. A simple analytic calculation is also carried out to demonstrate why the configuration with a deep minimum is more susceptible to the development of the neutral point.

Hau, L.-N.↗