Ion-cyclotron wave heating of heavy ions in the equatorial magnetosphere - A numerical simulation theory

A 1-2/2 dimensional hybrid numerical simulation code is used to study the heating of cold H(+) ions and heavy ions by electromagnetic ion-cyclotron waves (ICWs) in the ring current region of the equatorial magnetosphere. Consideration is given to a plasma consisting of electrons, hot H(+) ions, and cold heavy ions in which the ICWs are driven by the temperature anisotropy of the hot protons. For large-amplitude ICWs, it is found that the cold H(+) ions are preferentially heated over the heavy ions although the cold H(+) ions are heated by a three-step process.