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Particle-in-cell modeling of spacecraft-plasma interaction effects on double-probe electric field measurements

Miyake, Y.; Usui, H.

The double-probe technique, commonly used for electric field measurements in magnetospheric plasmas, is susceptible to environmental perturbations caused by spacecraft-plasma interactions. To better model the interactions, we have extended the existing particle-in-cell simulation technique so that it accepts very small spacecraft structures, such …

Modeling of Cluster's electric antennas in space: Application to plasma diagnostics

Sundkvist, D.; Pickett, J.; Lefebvre, B. +2 more

The main characteristics of the long-boom electric antennas installed on board the Cluster satellites are derived from finite element modeling in a kinetic and isotropic space plasma, in the frequency range of about 1-100 kHz. The model is based on the surface charge distribution method in quasi-static conditions. The impedances of both types of a…