Turbulent Energy Conversion Associated With Kinetic Microinstabilities in Earth's Magnetosheath

Harry C. Lewis*, Julia E. Stawarz, Lorenzo Matteini, Luca Franci, Kristopher G. Klein, Robert T. Wicks, Chadi S. Salem, Timothy S. Horbury, Joseph H. Wang

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Plasma in Earth's magnetosheath rarely experiences interparticle collisions, so kinetic microinstabilities are thought to contribute to regulating the plasma thermodynamics. Instabilities excite waves and redistribute free energy in velocity space, reducing free energy in the velocity distribution function (VDF). Using 24 hr of data spread over 163 intervals of in situ magnetosheath observations by Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS), we investigate signatures of energy conversion where the turbulent dynamics have locally distorted the VDFs into non‐Maxwellian shapes, in the context of electron and ion temperature anisotropy driven instabilities. We find enhanced average energy conversion into the particles along instability boundaries, suggesting turbulence plays a role in redistributing free energy. In so doing, we quantify the energetics associated with unstable conditions for both species. This work provides insight into the open question of how specific plasma processes couple into the turbulent dynamics, ultimately leading to energy dissipation and particle energization in collisionless plasmas.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2024GL112038
Number of pages12
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume51
Issue number24
Early online date16 Dec 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Dec 2024

Keywords

  • heliosphere
  • kinetic microinstabilities
  • plasma instabilities
  • space plasma physics
  • magnetosheath
  • turbulence

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