Effects of a parallel electric field and the geomagnetic field in the topside ionosphere on auroral and photoelectron energy distributions

1993 ◽  
Vol 98 (A11) ◽  
pp. 19223-19234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. -L. Min ◽  
D. Lummerzheim ◽  
M. H. Rees ◽  
K. Stamnes
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Geomagnetic Field ◽  
Topside Ionosphere ◽  
Parallel Electric Field ◽  
Energy Distributions ◽  
Photoelectron Energy

scholarly journals Double layers in the downward current region of the aurora

2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Ergun ◽  
L. Andersson ◽  
C. W. Carlson ◽  
D. L. Newman ◽  
M. V. Goldman
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Electron Beam ◽  
Phase Space ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Double Layers ◽  
Parallel Electric Field ◽  
Electrostatic Waves ◽  
Current Region ◽  
Decisive Evidence

Abstract. Direct observations of magnetic-field-aligned (parallel) electric fields in the downward current region of the aurora provide decisive evidence of naturally occurring double layers. We report measurements of parallel electric fields, electron fluxes and ion fluxes related to double layers that are responsible for particle acceleration. The observations suggest that parallel electric fields organize into a structure of three distinct, narrowly-confined regions along the magnetic field (B). In the "ramp" region, the measured parallel electric field forms a nearly-monotonic potential ramp that is localized to ~ 10 Debye lengths along B. The ramp is moving parallel to B at the ion acoustic speed (vs) and in the same direction as the accelerated electrons. On the high-potential side of the ramp, in the "beam" region, an unstable electron beam is seen for roughly another 10 Debye lengths along B. The electron beam is rapidly stabilized by intense electrostatic waves and nonlinear structures interpreted as electron phase-space holes. The "wave" region is physically separated from the ramp by the beam region. Numerical simulations reproduce a similar ramp structure, beam region, electrostatic turbulence region and plasma characteristics as seen in the observations. These results suggest that large double layers can account for the parallel electric field in the downward current region and that intense electrostatic turbulence rapidly stabilizes the accelerated electron distributions. These results also demonstrate that parallel electric fields are directly associated with the generation of large-amplitude electron phase-space holes and plasma waves.

scholarly journals Mapping of steady-state electric fields and convective drifts in geomagnetic fields – Part 1: Elementary models

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. M. Walker ◽  
G. J. Sofko
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Magnetic Field Line ◽  
Geomagnetic Field ◽  
Geomagnetic Field Models ◽  
Spatial Derivatives ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. When studying magnetospheric convection, it is often necessary to map the steady-state electric field, measured at some point on a magnetic field line, to a magnetically conjugate point in the other hemisphere, or the equatorial plane, or at the position of a satellite. Such mapping is relatively easy in a dipole field although the appropriate formulae are not easily accessible. They are derived and reviewed here with some examples. It is not possible to derive such formulae in more realistic geomagnetic field models. A new method is described in this paper for accurate mapping of electric fields along field lines, which can be used for any field model in which the magnetic field and its spatial derivatives can be computed. From the spatial derivatives of the magnetic field three first order differential equations are derived for the components of the normalized element of separation of two closely spaced field lines. These can be integrated along with the magnetic field tracing equations and Faraday's law used to obtain the electric field as a function of distance measured along the magnetic field line. The method is tested in a simple model consisting of a dipole field plus a magnetotail model. The method is shown to be accurate, convenient, and suitable for use with more realistic geomagnetic field models.

scholarly journals A numerical model of the ionosphere, including the E-region above EISCAT

1996 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.-Y. Diloy ◽  
A. Robineau ◽  
J. Lilensten ◽  
P.-L. Blelly ◽  
J. Fontanari
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Fluid Model ◽  
Molecular Ions ◽  
Ion Concentration ◽  
Topside Ionosphere ◽  
Ion Chemistry ◽  
Vhf Radar ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
Consistent Manner ◽  
E Region

Abstract. It has been previously demonstrated that a two-ion (O+ and H+) 8-moment time-dependent fluid model was able to reproduce correctly the ionospheric structure in the altitude range probed by the EISCAT-VHF radar. In the present study, the model is extended down to the E-region where molecular ion chemistry (NO+ and O+2, essentially) prevails over transport; EISCAT-UHF observations confirmed previous theoretical predictions that during events of intense E×B induced convection drifts, molecular ions (mainly NO+) predominate over O+ ions up to altitudes of 300 km. In addition to this extension of the model down to the E-region, the ionization and heating resulting from both solar insolation and particle precipitation is now taken into account in a consistent manner through a complete kinetic transport code. The effects of E×B induced convection drifts on the E- and F-region are presented: the balance between O+ and NO+ ions is drastically affected; the electric field acts to deplete the O+ ion concentration. The [NO+]/[O+] transition altitude varies from 190 km to 320 km as the perpendicular electric field increases from 0 to 100 mV m-1. An interesting additional by-product of the model is that it also predicts the presence of a noticeable fraction of N+ ions in the topside ionosphere in good agreement with Retarding Ion Mass Spectrometer measurements onboard Dynamic Explorer.

Relationship between Field-Aligned Currents and Parallel Electric Field Observed by Akebono

1998 ◽  
pp. 59-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Morooka ◽  
T. Yamamoto ◽  
T. Mukai ◽  
K. Tsuruda ◽  
H. Hayakawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Parallel Electric Field

The effect of parallel electric field in shock waves on the acceleration of relativistic ions, electrons, and positrons

2009 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 112308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seiichi Takahashi ◽  
Hiromasa Kawai ◽  
Yukiharu Ohsawa ◽  
Shunsuke Usami ◽  
Charles Chiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shock Waves ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Parallel Electric Field ◽  
Electrons And Positrons
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