2-DIMENSIONAL MODEL OF NEUTRAL SHEET IN EARTHS MAGNETOTAIL

Relations between magnetic field intensity, plasma pressure and energy density of macroscopic plasma motion inside the neutral sheet are discussed on the basis of the equations of plasma dynamics assuming that the thickness of the neutral sheet is comparable with a typical proton gyroradius. The electric current density which is required to maintain the neutral sheet and prevent merging of the magnetic field lines is analyzed in connection with the topology of the magnetic lines of force. The stationary model is investigated only, instabilities which result in an explicit time dependence of physical quantities are not considered. © 1969.