Abstract
Using a magnetohydrodynamic simulation of magnetotail reconnection, flow
bursts and dipolarization we further investigate the current diversion
and energy flow and conversion associated with the substorm current
wedge (SCW) or smaller scale wedgelets. Current diversion into both
Region 1 (R1) and Region 2 (R2) sense systems is found to happen inside
(that is, closer to the center of the flow burst) and equatorward of the
R1 and R2 type field-aligned currents. In contrast to earlier
investigations the current diversion takes place in dipolarized fields
extending all the way toward the equatorial plane. An additional FAC
system with the signature of R0 (same sense as R2) is found at higher
latitudes in taillike fields. The diversion into this system takes place
in layers equatorward of the R0 currents, but outside the equatorial
plane. Whereas the diversion into R1 and R2 systems is pressure gradient
dominated, the diversion into the R0 system is inertia dominated and may
persist only during flow burst activity. While azimuthally diverging
flows near the dipole contribute to the build-up of R1 and R2 systems,
converging flows at larger distance contribute to the build-up of R0 and
R1 systems. In contrast to the current diversion regions inside the
current wedge, generator regions are found on the outside of the wedge,
similar to earlier results. Within the tail domain covered, these
regions are overpowered by load regions, such that additional generator
regions must be expected closer to Earth, not covered by the present
simulation.