Ponderomotive effects on ion acceleration in the auroral zone Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Low frequency (ω < Ωi), large amplitude (E > 100 mV/m) Alfvén waves occur in the auroral zone. Such waves have a ponderomotive effect, on both ions and electrons. In the region between the large wave field and the ionosphere, the ponderomotive force accelerates electrons downward and ions upward, which produces an ambipolar electric field. The combined effect is to produce a differential acceleration between O+ and H+ with the O+ accelerated more out of the ionosphere. The typical resulting energization for O+ is tens of eV, which is sufficient for the ions to escape the ionosphere. We demonstrate this by means of analysis and test‐particle calculation.

publication date

  • January 8, 1993

has restriction

  • bronze

Date in CU Experts

  • March 26, 2014 9:57 AM

Full Author List

  • Li X; Temerin M

author count

  • 2

Other Profiles

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0094-8276

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1944-8007

Additional Document Info

start page

  • 13

end page

  • 16

volume

  • 20

issue

  • 1