Theoretical interpretation of upstreaming electrons and elevated conics on auroral field lines
Recent VIKING satellite observations in the auroral zone have shown the association of elevated ion conics (conics with a low energy cutoff above zero) with upward streaming electrons in the presence of low frequency electric field fluctuations. A self-consistent particle simulation was developed which assumed the presence of a steady state electric field on auroral zone field lines capable of accelerating ions up the magnetic field lines. Results from this study show that a low frequency ion-ion two stream instability can be excited. This low frequency instability creates a fluctuating electric field which heats the ions oblique to the magnetic field forming distributions similar to the elevated ion comics. The ion-ion waves also interact resonantly with electrons and accelerates them in the direction of the ion beam.
- Research Organization:
- Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles
- OSTI ID:
- 6533444
- Journal Information:
- Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Vol. 16:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GENERAL PHYSICS
AURORAL ZONES
TWO-STREAM INSTABILITY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
VIKING SPACE PROBES
INSTABILITY
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
SPACE VEHICLES
VEHICLES
640201* - Atmospheric Physics- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena