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Reconstructing the flux-rope topology using the FOTE method

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Abstract

With high-resolution data of the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, we observe a magnetic flux rope (MFR) in the Earth’s magnetosheath. This MFR, showing a clear bipolar variation of the magnetic field in the normal component to local current sheet, contains a strong core field. We use the FOTE method to reconstruct the topology of this MFR and find it is consistent with previous expectation. For the first time, the spiral field and core field of the MFR are both revealed from the FOTE method. Comparing topologies reconstructed at different times, we suggest that the axis of the MFR rotates about 88° at different spatial location. Shape and size of the normal projection to axis vary with the spatial location as well. Inside the MFR, a significant increase of plasma density from 40 to 80 cm−3, a sharp decrease of ion temperature from 200 to 50 eV, an enhancement of cold ions and a series of filamentary currents are found.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China

    ZuZheng Chen, HuiShan Fu, TieYan Wang, Dong Cao, FangZheng Peng, Jian Yang & Yin Xu

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  1. ZuZheng Chen
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  2. HuiShan Fu
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  3. TieYan Wang
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  4. Dong Cao
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Correspondence to HuiShan Fu.

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Chen, Z., Fu, H., Wang, T. et al. Reconstructing the flux-rope topology using the FOTE method. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 62, 144–150 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-017-9201-1

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