Reconstruction of the magnetotail current sheet structure using multi-point Cluster measurements

In this paper we analyze the vertical structure of the magnetotail current sheet for a few intervals during which Cluster repeatedly crosses the neutral sheet due to fast flapping motion. They include fast flows with episodes of flow reversals. The curl, gradient and divergence of the magnetic field are estimated using linear gradient/curl estimator techniques. The reconstruction of the electric current and magnetic field profiles are performed by integration of the estimated gradient scales. We found examples of thin current sheets, (half-thickness of 1000 km) with the current density maximum at the magnetic equator (B-x = 0), as well as examples of off-center or bifurcated current sheets. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.