Electrostatic double layers in earth's magnetosphere

Within the polar regions of the earth, magnetic field lines do not form closed loops but are open to the tail of the magnetosphere and interplanetary conditions. Owing to the low plasma pressure in the tail and some mechanism, outward transport of ionospheric plasma takes place. One of the mechanisms is Double Layer on the magnetic field lines. In this thesis, Electrostatic Double Layers are surveyed and application of them on magnetospheric plasma and polar wind are reviewed, moreover, formation of double layer, potential drop, current condition and selected acceleration mechanism are discussed in respect of relativistic and non-relativistic approach. Existence of the double layer in Aurora region is proved by means of satellite observations, computer simulations and laboratory experiment. It is tried to prove in this thesis that double layer exist in the transition region between ionosphere and magnetosphere on open magnetic field lines in the polar region by using kinetic and semi kinetic approximation. In addition, it is suggested that double layer can contribute to potential drop between magnetosphere and ionosphere and act as acceleration mechanism of plasma flow. Key Words : Polar Region, Magnetosphere, Ionosphere, Ionospheric Plasma, Double Layer (DL),.