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Experimental evidence for the acceleration of thermal electrons by ion cyclotron waves in the magnetosphereExperimental evidence is presented for the acceleration of thermal electrons by large amplitude ion cyclotron waves (ICWs). The wave power in the ULF range near the helium gyrofrequency is compared with the distribution function of low energy electrons measured by GEOS satellite instruments. This comparison shows that electrons are accelerated near the geomagnetic equator along field lines, at times when the ICW energy is large and the cold plasma density is below a threshold value. It is suggested that these accelerated electrons can account for the ELF emissions, modulated at the ICW frequency, observed by Wehrlin (1981). A very efficient acceleration of thermal electrons along field lines results from other ULF events having frequencies close to the proton gyrofrequency. Evidence for this lies in the fact that medium energy protons having large temperature anisotropies in the 100-500 eV range are responsible for the ICW wave generation.
Document ID
19830040297
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Norris, A. J.
(Mullard Space Science Lab. Dorking, United Kingdom)
Sojka, J. J.
(Mullard Space Science Lab. Dorking, United Kingdom)
Wrenn, G. L.
(London, University College, Dorking, Surrey, United Kingdom)
Johnson, J. F. E.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL; London, University College, Dorking, Surrey, United Kingdom)
Cornilleau-Wehrlin, N.
(Mullard Space Science Lab. Dorking, United Kingdom)
Perraut, S.
(Mullard Space Science Lab. Dorking, United Kingdom)
Roux, A.
(CNRS and CNET, Centre de Recherches en Physique de l'Environnement Terrestre et Planetaire, Issy-les-Moulineaux Hauts-de-Seine, France)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1983
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 88
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
83A21515
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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