Region-1 field aligned currents in experiments on laser-produced plasma interacting with magnetic dipole

In previous experiments by the authors a generation of intense field aligned current (FAC) system on Terrella poles was observed. In the present report a question of these currents origin in a low latitude boundary layer of magnetosphere is investigated. Experimental evidence of such a link was obtained by measurements of magnetic field generated by tangential sheared drag. Results suggest that compressional and Alfven waves are responsible for FAC generation. The study is most relevant to FAC generation in the Earth and Hermean magnetospheres following pressure jumps in Solar Wind.