Rotational Discontinuity in the Magnetopause Boundary Layer for Open
Magnetosphere
Abstract
In this paper, we analyzed the fine structure of the rotational
discontinuity (RD) in the magnetopause of the open magnetosphere by
using the MMS four-point magnetic field measurements. It is found that
RD is very common within the magnetopause when reconnection occurs at
the magnetopause. Furthermore, RD usually occurs closer to the
magnetosheath side of the magnetopause. RD is very thin and its
thickness is usually much smaller than 0.1 Re. The magnetic field
rotation maximums and magnetic strength minimums within the RD. The
radius of curvature of the magnetic field lines reaches its minimum
value in the RD (~0.03-0.62 Re). In addition, the radius
of curvature of magnetic field line of RD is usually larger than the
thickness of RD structure, indicating that the magnetic field lines are
partly lying in the RD. Generally,the field-aligned current dominates
in the RD.