Kinetic simulation of the Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability at the Venus ionopause

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Abstract
Two dimensional hybrid simulations with particle ions and fluid electrons are used to calculate the kinetic evolution of the Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability at a boundary similar to the ionopause at the planet Venus. The magnetic field has been chosen to be essentially transverse to the plasma flow velocity, which is the most unstable case for the Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability. Effects analogous to those found in MHD simulations are recovered, including a mode cascade to longer wavelengths. In addition, isolated structures on the order of the ion gyroradius are formed which can cross the boundary in either direction. These structures may be related to flux ropes commonly observed near the ionopause of Venus. The time evolution of these structures may represent transport across the boundary layers and the smearing of the shear layer may give rise to internal structure in the boundary. Similar processes occur in magnetized layers akin to the Earth's magnetopause.

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