Hybrid-Vlasov Modelling of Ion Velocity Distribution Functions Associated with the Kelvin–Helmholtz Instability with a Density and Temperature Asymmetry

Abstract

The Kelvin–Helmholtz instability (KHI), characterized by vortices forming at a perturbed velocity shear layer, is a prominent candidate mechanism for mass, momentum, and energy transport across boundaries with velocity shear in various space plasma environments. It is of particular interest at the flanks of Earth’s magnetopause, which separates the plasma of the magnetosphere from the adjacent shocked solar wind flow in the magnetosheath. In the present study, we use local hybrid-Vlasov simulations to investigate the ion velocity distribution functions (VDFs) associated with KHI in a magnetopause-like, transverse velocity shear layer setting (magnetic field perpendicular to the shear plane). We look for signatures of ion finite Larmor radius (FLR) effects, which could be utilized in spacecraft measurements to recognize when such effects are active, influencing KHI evolution and driving plasma mixing. We show that when a density/temperature asymmetry exists across the shear layer, FLR effects produce a heat flux along the vortex edges. With a magnitude (≳0.1 mW m ^−2 ) that is a significant fraction of the total magnetosheath energy flux, the heat flux provides a distinct signature that could be measured with a single spacecraft. During the late nonlinear stage of KHI, mixed non-Maxwellian ion VDFs are additionally found within the vortices. Our results are also valid in the presence of a small magnetic shear across the magnetopause.

Keywords

• Space plasmas
• Planetary magnetospheres
• Plasma physics
• Solar wind