The fine structure of dispersive, nonradiative field line resonance layers

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/95JA03762· OSTI ID:255054

Streltsov, A; Lotko, W ^[1]

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1. Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (United States)

The fine structure of dispersive Alfven wave resonance layers extending along magnetic field lines from northern to southern auroral ionosphere is investigated using a magnetically incompressible, linear, two-fluid model. The model includes effects of finite electron inertia (at low altitude) and finite electron pressure (at high altitude). Plasma parameters are chosen so that refraction by the parallel inhomogeneity causes the dispersive Alfven wave to become trapped in the resonance layer. The parallel and perpendicular structure of the nonradiative, dispersive resonance layers is computed for the first four odd harmonics. A significant enhancement of the perpendicular and parallel components of the electric field near the ionosphere is found. The instantaneous potential drop along the magnetic field is sufficient to accelerate electrons up to several keV. The thickness of field line resonance layers in the ionosphere is estimated to be less that 5 km. The results suggest that dispersive resonance layers produce subkilometers-scale, multiple, discrete auroral arcs. 49 refs., 6 figs., 2 tab.

• OSTI ID: 255054
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research Journal Issue: A3 Vol. 101; ISSN JGREA2; ISSN 0148-0227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
ALFVEN WAVES
AURORAL ZONES
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
GEOMAGNETIC FIELD
IONOSPHERE
LAYERS
PLASMA FLUID EQUATIONS
RESONANCE