Production of ion conics by oblique double layers

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA089iA04p02251· OSTI ID:6673970

Borovsky, J E

Magnetized test ions are subjected to acceleration through a numerically simulated oblique double layer in order to determine whether they emerge with velocity vectors aligned with or oblique to the ambient magnetic field. A criterion for oblique alignment, depending on the double-layer parameters and on the external magnetization, is obtained. When it is applied to observed and theoretical auroral double layers, this criterion predicts that accelerated heavy ions will be substantially less magnetic field aligned than will accelerated hydrogen ions, thus suggesting auroral double layers as a source of high-energy ion conics. Test particle simulations are also used to investigate the perpendicular heating of ions at low altitudes by the electric fields associated with moving auroral arcs. The rapid motion of small-scale structures in the arces is suggested as a source of low-energy conical ion distributions, and the slow drifts of the entire arc forms are inferred to heat ionospheric ions.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
• OSTI ID: 6673970
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 89:A4; 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
AURORAE
CHARGED PARTICLES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
HEAVY IONS
IONOSPHERE
IONS
LAYERS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA ACCELERATION
PLASMA SIMULATION
SIMULATION