scholarly journals A multi-satellite study of accelerated ionospheric ion beams above the polar cap

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1665-1684 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Maggiolo ◽  
J. A. Sauvaud ◽  
D. Fontaine ◽  
A. Teste ◽  
E. Grigorenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Potential Drop ◽  
Auroral Zone ◽  
Ion Beams ◽  
Distribution Functions ◽  
Convection Velocity ◽  
Polar Cap ◽  
Ion Energy ◽  
Polar Cusp ◽  
Oxygen Ions

Abstract. This paper presents a study of nearly field-aligned outflowing ion beams observed on the Cluster satellites over the polar cap. Data are taken at geocentric radial distances of the order of 5–9 RE. The distinction is made between ion beams originating from the polar cusp/cleft and beams accelerated almost along the magnetic field line passing by the spacecraft. Polar cusp beams are characterized by nearly field-aligned proton and oxygen ions with an energy ratio EO+ / EH+, of the order of 3 to 4, due to the ion energy repartition inside the source and to the latitudinal extension of the source. Rapid variations in the outflowing ion energy are linked with pulses/modifications of the convection electric field. Cluster data allow one to show that these perturbations of the convection velocity and the associated ion structures propagate at the convection velocity. In contrast, polar cap local ion beams are characterized by field-aligned proton and oxygen ions with similar energies. These beams show the typical inverted V structures usually observed in the auroral zone and are associated with a quasi-static converging electric field indicative of a field-aligned electric field. The field-aligned potential drop fits well the ion energy profile. The simultaneous observation of precipitating electrons and upflowing ions of similar energies at the Cluster orbit indicates that the spacecraft are crossing the mid-altitude part of the acceleration region. In the polar cap, the parallel electric field can thus extend to altitudes higher than 5 Earth radii. A detailed analysis of the distribution functions shows that the ions are heated during their parallel acceleration and that energy is exchanged between H+ and O+. Furthermore, intense electrostatic waves are observed simultaneously. These observations could be due to an ion-ion two-stream instability.

scholarly journals Polar cap arcs from the magnetosphere to the ionosphere: kinetic modelling and observations by Cluster and TIMED

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Maggiolo ◽  
M. Echim ◽  
C. Simon Wedlund ◽  
Y. Zhang ◽  
D. Fontaine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Spectrum ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Kinetic Modelling ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Potential Drop ◽  
Coupling Model ◽  
Optical Observations ◽  
Topside Ionosphere ◽  
Polar Cap

Abstract. On 1 April 2004 the GUVI imager onboard the TIMED spacecraft spots an isolated and elongated polar cap arc. About 20 min later, the Cluster satellites detect an isolated upflowing ion beam above the polar cap. Cluster observations show that the ions are accelerated upward by a quasi-stationary electric field. The field-aligned potential drop is estimated to about 700 V and the upflowing ions are accompanied by a tenuous population of isotropic protons with a temperature of about 500 eV. The magnetic footpoints of the ion outflows observed by Cluster are situated in the prolongation of the polar cap arc observed by TIMED GUVI. The upflowing ion beam and the polar cap arc may be different signatures of the same phenomenon, as suggested by a recent statistical study of polar cap ion beams using Cluster data. We use Cluster observations at high altitude as input to a quasi-stationary magnetosphere-ionosphere (MI) coupling model. Using a Knight-type current-voltage relationship and the current continuity at the topside ionosphere, the model computes the energy spectrum of precipitating electrons at the top of the ionosphere corresponding to the generator electric field observed by Cluster. The MI coupling model provides a field-aligned potential drop in agreement with Cluster observations of upflowing ions and a spatial scale of the polar cap arc consistent with the optical observations by TIMED. The computed energy spectrum of the precipitating electrons is used as input to the Trans4 ionospheric transport code. This 1-D model, based on Boltzmann's kinetic formalism, takes into account ionospheric processes such as photoionization and electron/proton precipitation, and computes the optical and UV emissions due to precipitating electrons. The emission rates provided by the Trans4 code are compared to the optical observations by TIMED. They are similar in size and intensity. Data and modelling results are consistent with the scenario of quasi-static acceleration of electrons that generate a polar cap arc as they precipitate in the ionosphere. The detailed observations of the acceleration region by Cluster and the large scale image of the polar cap arc provided by TIMED are two different features of the same phenomenon. Combined together, they bring new light on the configuration of the high-latitude magnetosphere during prolonged periods of Northward IMF. Possible implications of the modelling results for optical observations of polar cap arcs are also discussed.

scholarly journals Oxygen ion energization observed at high altitudes

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 907-916 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Waara ◽  
H. Nilsson ◽  
G. Stenberg ◽  
M. André ◽  
H. Gunell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geomagnetic Field ◽  
Distribution Functions ◽  
High Altitudes ◽  
Polar Cap ◽  
Wave Fields ◽  
Oxygen Ions ◽  
Oxygen Ion ◽  
Ion Energization ◽  
Heating Up

Abstract. We present a case study of significant heating (up to 8 keV) perpendicular to the geomagnetic field of outflowing oxygen ions at high altitude (12 RE) above the polar cap. The shape of the distribution functions indicates that most of the heating occurs locally (within 0.2–0.4 RE in altitude). This is a clear example of local ion energization at much higher altitude than usually reported. In contrast to many events at lower altitudes, it is not likely that the locally observed wave fields can cause the observed ion energization. Also, it is not likely that the ions have drifted from some nearby energization region to the point of observation. This suggests that additional fundamentally different ion energization mechanisms are present at high altitudes. One possibility is that the magnetic moment of the ions is not conserved, resulting in slower outflow velocities and longer time for ion energization.

scholarly journals Polar cap ion beams during periods of northward IMF: Cluster statistical results

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 771-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Maggiolo ◽  
M. Echim ◽  
J. De Keyser ◽  
D. Fontaine ◽  
C. Jacquey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Static Field ◽  
Ion Beams ◽  
Polar Cap ◽  
Isotropic Plasma ◽  
Polar Caps ◽  
Background Population ◽  
Auroral Arcs ◽  
Cluster Database

Abstract. Above the polar caps and during prolonged periods of northward IMF, the Cluster satellites detect upward accelerated ion beams with energies up to a few keV. They are associated with converging electric field structures indicating that the acceleration is caused by a quasi-static field-aligned electric field that can extend to altitudes higher than 7 RE (Maggiolo et al., 2006; Teste et al., 2007). Using the AMDA science analysis service provided by the Centre de Données de la Physique des Plasmas, we have been able to extract about 200 events of accelerated upgoing ion beams above the polar caps from the Cluster database. Most of these observations are taken at altitudes lower than 7 RE and in the Northern Hemisphere. We investigate the statistical properties of these ion beams. We analyze their geometry, the properties of the plasma populations and of the electric field inside and around the beams, as well as their dependence on solar wind and IMF conditions. We show that ~40 % of the ion beams are collocated with a relatively hot and isotropic plasma population. The density and temperature of the isotropic population are highly variable but suggest that this plasma originates from the plasma sheet. The ion beam properties do not change significantly when the isotropic, hot background population is present. Furthermore, during one single polar cap crossing by Cluster it is possible to detect upgoing ion beams both with and without an accompanying isotropic component. The analysis of the variation of the IMF BZ component prior to the detection of the beams indicates that the delay between a northward/southward turning of IMF and the appearance/disappearance of the beams is respectively ~2 h and 20 min. The observed electrodynamic characteristics of high altitude polar cap ion beams suggest that they are closely connected to polar cap auroral arcs. We discuss the implications of these Cluster observations above the polar cap on the magnetospheric dynamics and configuration during prolonged periods of northward IMF.

scholarly journals Polar observations of electron density distribution in the Earth’s magnetosphere. 2. Density profiles

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 1725-1735 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Laakso ◽  
R. Pfaff ◽  
P. Janhunen
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Auroral Zone ◽  
Polar Cap ◽  
Geomagnetic Disturbances ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Density Peaks ◽  
Spacecraft Potential ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Auroral Phenomena

Abstract. Using spacecraft potential measurements of the Polar electric field experiment, we investigate electron density variations of key plasma regions within the magnetosphere, including the polar cap, cusp, trough, plasmapause, and auroral zone. The statistical results were presented in the first part of this study, and the present paper reports detailed structures revealed by individual satellite passes. The high-altitude (> 3 RE) polar cap is generally one of the most tenuous regions in the magnetosphere, but surprisingly, the polar cap boundary does not appear as a steep density decline. At low altitudes (1 RE) in summer, the polar densities are very high, several 100 cm-3 , and interestingly, the density peaks at the central polar cap. On the noonside of the polar cap, the cusp appears as a dense, 1–3° wide region. A typical cusp density above 4 RE distance is between several 10 cm-3 and a few 100 cm-3 . On some occasions the cusp is crossed multiple times in a single pass, simultaneously with the occurrence of IMF excursions, as the cusp can instantly shift its position under varying solar wind conditions, similar to the magnetopause. On the nightside, the auroral zone is not always detected as a simple density cavity. Cavities are observed but their locations, strengths, and sizes vary. Also, the electric field perturbations do not necessarily overlap with the cavities: there are cavities with no field disturbances, as well as electric field disturbances observed with no clear cavitation. In the inner magnetosphere, the density distributions clearly show that the plasmapause and trough densities are well correlated with geomagnetic activity. Data from individual orbits near noon and midnight demonstrate that at the beginning of geomagnetic disturbances, the retreat speed of the plasmapause can be one L-shell per hour, while during quiet intervals the plasmapause can expand anti-earthward at the same speed. For the trough region, it is found that the density tends to be an order of magnitude higher on the day-side (~1 cm-3) than on the nightside (~0.1–1 cm-3), particularly during low Kp.Key words. Magnetospheric physics (auroral phenomena; plasmasphere; polar cap phenomena)

scholarly journals CLUSTER observations of electron outflowing beams carrying downward currents above the polar cap by northward IMF

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 953-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Teste ◽  
D. Fontaine ◽  
J.-A. Sauvaud ◽  
R. Maggiolo ◽  
P. Canu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Electron Beams ◽  
Current System ◽  
Potential Drop ◽  
Careful Analysis ◽  
Auroral Zone ◽  
Polar Ionosphere ◽  
Polar Cap ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Downward Currents

Abstract. Above the polar cap, at about 5–9 Earth radii (RE) altitude, the PEACE experiment onboard CLUSTER detected, for the first time, electron beams outflowing from the ionosphere with large and variable energy fluxes, well collimated along the magnetic field lines. All these events occurred during periods of northward or weak interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). These outflowing beams were generally detected below 100 eV and typically between 40 and 70 eV, just above the photoelectron level. Their energy gain can be explained by the presence of a field-aligned potential drop below the spacecraft, as in the auroral zone. The careful analysis of the beams distribution function indicates that they were not only accelerated but also heated. The parallel heating is estimated to about 2 to 20 eV and it globally tends to increase with the acceleration energy. Moreover, WHISPER observed broadband electrostatic emissions around a few kHz correlated with the outflowing electron beams, which suggests beam-plasma interactions capable of triggering plasma instabilities. In presence of simultaneous very weak ion fluxes, the outflowing electron beams are the main carriers of downward field-aligned currents estimated to about 10 nA/m2. These electron beams are actually not isolated but surrounded by wider structures of ion outflows. All along its polar cap crossings, Cluster observed successive electron and ion outflows. This implies that the polar ionosphere represents a significant source of cold plasma for the magnetosphere during northward or weak IMF conditions. The successive ion and electron outflows finally result in a filamented current system of opposite polarities which connects the polar ionosphere to distant regions of the magnetosphere.

Influence of inhomogeneities of the plasma density and electric field on the generation of electrostatic noise in the auroral zone

2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. Chernyshov ◽  
A. A. Ilyasov ◽  
M. M. Mogilevskii ◽  
I. V. Golovchanskaya ◽  
B. V. Kozelov
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Plasma Density ◽  
Auroral Zone

Polar cap potential drop model (1981)

1992 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 549-550
Author(s):  
P.H. Reiff ◽  
R.W. Spiro ◽  
T.W. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Potential Drop ◽  
Polar Cap

scholarly journals RF-Carpets that Compress Ions to High Density Beams

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (S4) ◽  
pp. 84-89
Author(s):  
H. Wollnik ◽  
F. Arai ◽  
Y. Ito ◽  
P. Schury ◽  
M. Wada
Keyword(s):  
Phase Space ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Ion Beams ◽  
High Density ◽  
Ion Density ◽  
Field Lines

AbstractIons that are moved by electric fields in gases follow quite exactly the electric field lines since these ions have substantially lost their kinetic energies in collisions with gas atoms or molecules and so carry no momenta. Shaping the electric fields appropriately the phase space such ion beams occupy can be reduced and correspondingly the ion density of beams be increased.

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