On the plasma environment of solitary waves and weak double layers

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA095iA05p05921· OSTI ID:5029014

Koskinen, H E.J. ^[1]; Lundin, R ^[2]; Holback, B ^[3]

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1. Finnish Meteorological Inst., Helsinki (Finland)
2. Swedish Inst. of Space Physics, Kiruna (Sweden)
3. Swedish Inst. of Space Physics, Uppsala (Sweden)

Observations of charged particles during events of solitary waves and weak double layer-like structures by the Swedish magnetospheric research satellite Viking are discussed. The observations took place in relatively weak acceleration regions at altitudes between 1 and 2 R{sub E}. The total accelerating potential was typically somewhat less than 1 kV. The characteristics of ion and electron spectra indicate that the main part of the potential was below the satellite but osme field-aligned acceleration of elections had also taken place above it. The composition of the ion beams was domianted by protons with a variable concentration (0-30%) of oxygen ions. While it is difficult to determine the exact parameters of the background plasma, there is clear evidence of the presence of cool background electrons and ions. It is proposed that the weak double layer-like structures are structures in the cool ambient ions and convect slowly upward with the ion population. On the other hand, the structures accelerate auroral electrons toward Earth and beam ions from the ionosphere upward. It is suggested that the structures are likely to contribute to the perpendicular heating of the ion beams.

• OSTI ID: 5029014
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 95:A5; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCELERATION
AURORAL ZONES
BEAMS
CHARGED PARTICLES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
GRAVITY WAVES
INTERACTIONS
ION BEAMS
IONIC COMPOSITION
IONOSPHERE
LEPTONS
MORPHOLOGY
ORIGIN
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA