Characteristics of solitary waves and weak double layers in the magnetospheric plasma

The wave experiment of the Viking satellite frquently detected dynamic small-scale (100-m), large-amplitude, rarefactive solitary waves of negative potential (absolute value of phi less than about 2 V) moving upwards along the magnetic field lines (v = 5 to greater than 50 km/s). The structures, which resemble ion holes, often have an upward-directed net potential drop (less than about 1 V) and are then interpreted as weak double layers. (Author)