Trapping of ion conics by downward parallel electric fields

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA090iA05p04205· OSTI ID:5935925

Gorney, D J; Chiu, Y T; Croley, Jr, D R

Energetic particle data from electrostatic analyzers aboard the S3-3 satellite indicative of a downward parallel electric field at low altitudes are presented to argue for a causal connection between downward parallel electric fields and ion heating. The data include observations of upward field-aligned electron beams in regions where precipitating electron fluxes are suppressed. Evidence of downward acceleration of ions and locally mirroring ion conics is also presented. It is argued that the presence of a downward electric field may have important consequences for ion conic heating and might in fact be required for the observed heating of ions to several hundred electron volts. 19 references.

• Research Organization: Aerospace Corp., Los Angeles, CA
• OSTI ID: 5935925
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 90; 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
AURORAL ZONES
BEAMS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRON BEAMS
EXPLORER SATELLITES
HEATING
ION BEAMS
IONOSPHERE
LEPTON BEAMS
PARTICLE BEAMS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
SATELLITES