HELLINGER , P.

A model for the nonlinear dynamics of mirror modes near the instability threshold is presented. By matching the quasi-linear theory for the space-averaged distribution function with a reductive perturbative description of the mirror modes, the model reproduces the early-time flattening of the distribution function and the development of...

The propagation of dispersive Alfvén waves in a low-beta collisionless plasma with a high-density channel aligned with the ambient magnetic field, is studied in three space dimensions. A fluid model retaining linear Landau damping and finite Larmor radius corrections is used, together with a hybrid particle-in-cell simulation aimed to validate...

Journal of Geophysical Research (Space Physics), 113, p. 08219, http://dx.doi.org./10.1029/2007ja012898

Using 5 years of Cluster data, we present a detailed statistical analysis of magnetic fluctuations associated with mirror structures in the magnetosheath. We especially focus on the shape of these fluctuations which, in addition to quasi-sinusoidal forms, also display deep holes and high peaks. The occurrence frequency and the most probable...