Lower hybrid acceleration and ion evoluation in the suprauroral region

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL008i012p01253· OSTI ID:5609134

Chang, T; Coppi, B

It is shown that ions can be accelerated perpendicularly to the magnetic field lines by resonant interactions with lower hybrid modes. Taking into account the effects of the magnetic field inhomogeneity, we demonstrate that the accelerated portion of the ions of ionospheric origin in the suprauroral region of the magnetosphere can evolve into conic distributions and propagate upwards along the field lines. Thus these ions can reach the region where they can be strongly energized along the field lines by the electrostatic shocks. We can argue that the ion distribution resulting from the combination of these accelerated ions with the background ions can depart significantly from a thermal distribution and lead to the excitation of electrostatic ion cyclotron modes.

• Research Organization: Center for Space Research and Physics Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
• OSTI ID: 5609134
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 8:12; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCELERATION
ATOMIC IONS
AURORAE
CHARGED PARTICLES
CYCLOTRON FREQUENCY
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
FUNCTIONS
IONOSPHERE
IONS
MAGNETOSPHERE
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA ACCELERATION
PLASMA WAVES