Nonlocal kinetic theory of Alfvén waves on dipolar field lines

Physics – Plasma Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

15

Magnetospheric Physics: Auroral Phenomena (2407), Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetosphere/Ionosphere Interactions, Magnetospheric Physics: Plasma Waves And Instabilities, Space Plasma Physics: Kinetic And Mhd Theory, Space Plasma Physics: Wave/Particle Interactions

Scientific paper

Recent observations have indicated that in addition to the quasi-static acceleration of electrons in inverted V structures, auroral electrons frequently have a spectrum that is broad in energy and confined to parallel pitch angles, indicative of acceleration in low-frequency waves. Test particle models have indicated that these electrons may be accelerated by the parallel electric fields in kinetic Alfvén waves. However, such models are not self-consistent, in that the wave structure is not influenced by the accelerated particles. A nonlocal kinetic theory of electrons along auroral field lines is necessary to provide this self-consistency. Results from such a model based on electron motions on dipole field lines are presented. For a typical Alfvén speed profile, kinetic effects lead to significant energy dissipation when the electron temperature exceeds ~100 eV. The dissipation generally occurs near the peak of the Alfvén speed profile. This dissipation generally increases with increasing temperature and decreasing perpendicular wavelength up to ~1 keV and 10 km, respectively. At larger temperatures and smaller perpendicular wavelengths the dissipation begins to decrease and the ionospheric Joule dissipation goes to zero, indicating that the wave is reflected from the dissipation region. Dissipation in the 0.1-1.0 Hz band is structured by the modes of the ionospheric Alfvén resonator.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Nonlocal kinetic theory of Alfvén waves on dipolar field lines does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Nonlocal kinetic theory of Alfvén waves on dipolar field lines, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Nonlocal kinetic theory of Alfvén waves on dipolar field lines will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1837073

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.