Theoretical interpretation of upstreaming electrons and elevated conics on auroral field lines

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL016i001p00021· OSTI ID:6533444

Ashour-Abdalla, M; Schriver, D

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), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 16:1; 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
AURORAL ZONES
INSTABILITY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
SPACE VEHICLES
TWO-STREAM INSTABILITY
VEHICLES
VIKING SPACE PROBES