The kinetic approach in magnetospheric plasma transport modelingThe need for a kinetic approach in magnetospheric plasma transport problems is reviewed, as are the trends in its recent applications. The need for kinetic modeling is particularly obvious when confronted with the astonishing variety of magnetospheric particle measurements that display compelling energy and pitch angle-related spatial and/or temporal dispersion, and various types of highly non-Maxwellian features in the distribution functions. Global problems in which the kinetic approach has recently been applied include solar wind plasma injection and dispersion over the cusp, substorm particle injection near synchronous orbit, synergistic energization of ionospheric ions into ring current populations by waves and induced electric field-driven convection, and ionospheric outflow from restricted source regions into the magnetosphere. Kinetic modeling can include efforts ranging from test-particle techniques to particle-in-cell studies, and this range is considered here. There are some areas where fluid and kinetic approaches have been combined or patched together, and these will be briefly discussed.
Document ID
19890026409
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Horwitz, J. L. (Alabama, University Huntsville, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1988
Subject Category
Geophysics
Meeting Information
Meeting: Huntsville Workshop on Magnetosphere/Ionosphere Plasma Models