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Effect of hot electrons on the polar windA semikinetic model is used to describe the steady state collisionless flow of H(+), O(+), and electrons along diverging geomagnetic field lines in the high-latitude topside ionosphere. The effect that hot electron populations have on the polar wind is emphasized. Several such populations are considered, including the polar rain, polar showers, and polar squall. Hot electron densities and temperatures are calculated from the characteristic energy and flux measurements. The results indicate that the hot/cold electron temperature ratio varies from 10 to 10,000 and that the hot/cold electron density ratio varies from 0.001 to 0.1 at the baropause. For higher hot electron temperatures and a greater percentage of hot electrons, there is a discontinuity in the kinetic solution, which indicates the presence of a sharp transition corresponding to a contact surface between the hot and cold electrons. Along this surface, a double-layer potential barrier exists which reflects the cold ionospheric electrons and prevents their penetrations to higher altitudes.
Document ID
19850030809
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Barakat, A. R.
(Utah State Univ. Logan, UT, United States)
Schunk, R. W.
(Utah State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, Logan, UT, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 89
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
85A12960
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-82-17138
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-77
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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