Electric fields and plasma processes in the Auroral downward current region, below, within, and above the acceleration region

Space Science Reviews

Volumn 142, Issue 1-4, 2009, Pages 1-21

  Marklund, G T ^a  

^a ROYAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY   (Sweden)

Author keywords

Auroral downward current; Auroral electric field; Auroral particle acceleration; Auroral processes; Cluster observations; Electric field coupling; Satellite observations

Indexed keywords

ELECTRIC FIELD EFFECTS; ELECTRIC FIELDS; FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT; IONOSPHERE; IONOSPHERIC MEASUREMENT; MAGNETOSPHERE; MOTION ESTIMATION; PARTICLE ACCELERATOR ACCESSORIES; PARTICLE ACCELERATORS; PLASMA DENSITY; PLASMA JETS; PLASMA SHEATHS; PLASMAS; REAL TIME SYSTEMS; SATELLITES; SPACECRAFT;

AURORAL DOWNWARD CURRENT; AURORAL ELECTRIC FIELD; AURORAL PARTICLE ACCELERATION; AURORAL PROCESSES; CLUSTER OBSERVATIONS; ELECTRIC FIELD COUPLING; SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS;

ELECTRIC FIELD MEASUREMENT;

EID: 58849132924     PISSN: 00386308     EISSN: 15729672     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1007/s11214-008-9373-9     Document Type: Article

References (53)

1. H. Alfvén, C.-G. Fälthammar, Cosmical Electrodynamics, Fundamental Principles (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1963)
2. L. Andersson, R.E. Ergun, D. Newman, J.P. McFadden, C.W. Carlson, Y.-J. Su, Characteristics of parallel electric fields in the downward current region. Phys. Plasm. 9, 3600-3609 (2002). doi:10.1063/1.1490134
3. L. Block, Potential double layers in the ionosphere. Cosmic Electrodyn. 3, 349-376 (1972)
4. P. Carlqvist, R. Boström, J. Geophys. Res. 75, 7140 (1970). doi:10.1029/JA075i034p07140
5. C.W. Carlson, J.P. McFadden, R.E. Ergun, M. Temerin, W. Peria, F.S. Mozer, D.M. Klumpar, E.G. Shelley, W.K. Peterson, E. Moebius, R. Elphic, R.E. Strangeway, C.A. Cattell, R. Pfaff, FAST observations in the downward auroral current region: Energetic upgoing electron beams, parallel potential drops, and ion heating. Geophys. Res. Lett. 25, 2017 (1998a). doi:10.1029/98GL00851
6. C.W. Carlson, J.P. McFadden, R.E. Ergun, M. Temerin, W. Peria, F.S. Mozer, D.M. Klumpar, E.G. Shelly, W.K. Peterson, E. Moebius, R. Elphic, R.J. Strangeway, C. Cattell, R. Pfaff, FAST observations in the downward auroral current region: Energetic upgoing electrons beams, parallel potential drops, and ion heating. Geophys. Res. Lett. 25, 2017 (1998b). doi:10.1029/98GL00851
7. Y.T. Chiu, M. Schultz, Self-consistent particle and parallel electrostatic field distributions in magnetosphericionospheric auroral region. J. Geophys. Res. 83, 629 (1978). doi:10.1029/JA083iA02p00629
8. Y.T. Chiu, A.L. Newman, J.M. Cornwall, On structures and mapping of auroral electrostatic potentials. J. Geophys. Res. 86, 10029-10037 (1981). doi:10.1029/JA086iA12p10029
9. R.C. Elphic, J.W. Bonnell, R.J. Strangeway, L. Kepko, R.E. Ergun, J.P. McFadden, C.W. Carlson, W. Peria, C.A. Cattell, D. Klumper, E. Shelley, W. Peterson, E. Moebius, L. Kistler, P. Pfaff, The auroral current circuit and field-aligned currents observed by FAST. Geophys. Res. Lett. 25, 2033-2036 (1998). doi:10.1029/98GL01158
10. R.E. Ergun, C.W. Carlson, J.P. McFadden, F.S. Mozer, G.T. Delory, W. Peria, C.C. Chaston, M. Temerin, R. Elphic, R.J. Strangeway, R. Pfaff, C.A. Cattell, D. Klumpar, E. Shelly, W. Peterson, E. Moebius, L. Kistler, FAST satellite observations of electric field structures in the auroral zone. Geophys. Res. Lett. 25, 2025-2028 (1998). doi:10.1029/98GL00635
11. R.E. Ergun, C.W. Carlson, J.P. McFadden, F.S. Mozer, R.J. Strangeway, Parallel electric fields in discrete arcs. Geophys. Res. Lett. 27, 4053-4056 (2000). doi:10.1029/2000GL003819
12. R.E. Ergun, C.W. Carlson, J.P. McFadden, R.J. Strangeway, M.V. Goldman, D.L. Newman, Electron phasespace holes and the VLF saucer source region. Geophys. Res. Lett. 28, 3805 (2001)
13. R.E. Ergun, L. Andersson, D. Main, Y.-J. Su, C.W. Carlson, J.P. McFadden, F.S. Mozer, Parallel electric fields in the upward current region of the aurora: Indirect and direct observations. Phys. Plasm. 9(355), 3685-3694 (2002)
14. S. Figueiredo, G. Marklund, T. Karlsson, T. Johansson, Y. Ebihara, N. Ejiri, M. Ivchenko, P.-A. Lindqvist, H. Nilsson, A. Fazakerley, Temporal and spatial evolution of discrete auroral arcs as seen by Cluster. Ann. Geophys. 23, 2531-2557 (2005)
15. Freja Special Issue, Freja Investigations of high-latitude plasma processes. J. Geophys. Res. 103, A3 (1998)
16. G. Gustavsson, R. Boström, B. Holback, G. Holmgren, A. Lundgren, K. Stasiewicz, L. Åhlén, F. Mozer, D. Pankow, P. Harvey, P. Berg, R. Ulrich, A. Pedersen, R. Schmidt, A. Butler, A. Fransen, D. Klinge, M. Thomsen, C.-G. Fälthammar, P.-A. Lindqvist, S. Christenson, J. Holtet, B. Lybekk, T. Stein, P. Tanskanen, K. Lappalainen, J. Wygant, The electric field and wave experiment for the Cluster mission. Space Sci. Rev. 79(1-2), 137-156 (1997). doi:10.1023/A:1004975108657
17. M. Hudson, F.S. Mozer, Electrostatic shocks, double layers, and anomalous resistivity in the magnetosphere. Geophys. Res. Lett. 5, 131-134 (1978). doi:10.1029/GL005i002p00131
18. B. Hultqvist, Downward ion acceleration at auroral latitudes: Cause of parallel electric field. Ann. Geophys. 20, 1117-1136 (2002)
19. K.-J. Hwang, K.A. Lynch, C.W. Carlson, J.W. Bonnell, W.J. Peria, Fast Auroral Snapshot observations of perpendicular DC electric field structures in downward auroral current regions:Morphology. J. Geophys. Res. 111, A09205 (2006a). doi:10.1029/2005JA011471
20. K.-J. Hwang, K.A. Lynch, C.W. Carlson, J.W. Bonnell, W.J. Peria, Fast Auroral Snapshot observations of perpendicular DC electric field structures in downward current regions: Implications. J. Geophys. Res. 111, A09206 (2006b). doi:10.1029/2005JA011472
21. J.R. Jasperse, Ion heating, electron acceleration, and the self-consistent E-field in downward auroral current regions. Geophys. Res. Lett. 25, 3485-3488 (1998). doi:10.1029/98GL02666
22. T. Johansson, S. Figueiredo, T. Karlsson, G. Marklund, A. Fazakerley, S. Buchert, P.-A. Lindqvist, H. Nilsson, Intense high-altitude auroral electric fields - temporal and spatial characteristics. Ann. Geophys. 22, 2485-2495 (2004)
23. T. Johansson, G. Marklund, T. Karlsson, S. Lileo, P.-A. Lindqvist, A. Marchaudon, H. Nilsson, A. Fazakerley, On the profile of intense high-altitude auroral electric fields at magnetospheric boundaries. Ann. Geophys. 24, 1713-1723 (2006)
24. T. Johansson, G. Marklund, T. Karlsson, S. Liléo, P.-A. Lindqvist, H. Nilsson, S. Buchert, Scale sizes of intense auroral electric fields observed by Cluster. Ann. Geophys. 25, 2413-2425 (2007)
25. T. Karlsson, G.T. Marklund, A statistical study of intense low-altitude electric fields observed by Freja. Geophys. Res. Lett. 23, 1005-1008 (1996). doi:10.1029/96GL00773
26. T. Karlsson, G. Marklund, Simulations of effects of small-scale auroral current closure in the return current region. Phys. Space Plasm. 15, 401-406 (1998)
27. T. Karlsson, N. Brenning, O. Marghitu, G. Marklund, S. Buchert, High-altitude signatures of ionospheric density depletions caused by field-aligned currents, (2007). arXiv:0704.1610v1
28. D.M. Klumpar, R.J. Strangeway, C. Carlson, J.P. McFadden, M.A. Temerin, Latitude and local time distribution of downward directed ion beams in the auroral ionosphere. EOS Trans. AGU, Spring Meet. Suppl. 80 (1999)
29. S. Knight, Parallel electric fields. Planet. Space Sci. 21, 741 (1973). doi:10.1016/0032-0633(73)90093-7
30. D.J. Knudsen, E.F. Donovan, L.L. Cogger, B. Jackel, W.D. Shaw, Width and structure of mesoscale optical auroral arcs. Geophys. Res. Lett. 28, 705-708 (2001). doi:10.1029/2000GL011969
31. K.A. Lynch, J.W. Bonnell, C.W. Carlson, W. Peria, Return current region aurora: E-parallel, j(z), particle energization, and broadband ELF wave activity. J. Geophys. Res. 107(A7), 1115 (2002). doi:10.1029/2001JA900134
32. J.E. Maggs, T.N. Davis, Measurements of the thickness of auroral structures. Planet. Space Sci. 216, 205-209 (1968). doi:10.1016/0032- 0633(68)90069-X
33. G.T. Marklund, I. Sandahl, H. Opgenoorth, A study of the dynamics of a discrete auroral Ar. Planet. Space Sci. 30, 179-197 (1982). doi:10.1016/0032-0633(82)90088-5
34. G.T. Marklund, Auroral arc classification scheme based on the observed arc-associated electric field pattern. Planet. Space Sci. 32, 193-211 (1984). doi:10.1016/0032-0633(84)90154-5
35. G.T. Marklund, L.G. Blomberg, C.-G. Fälthammar, P.-A. Lindqvist, On intense diverging electric fields associated with black aurora. Geophys. Res. Lett. 21, 1859-1862 (1994). doi:10.1029/94GL00194
36. G. Marklund, L. Blomberg, C.-G. Fälthammar, P.-A. Lindqvist, L. Eliasson, On the occurrence and characteristics of intense low-altitude electric fields observed by Freja. Ann. Geophys. 13, 704-712 (1995). doi:10.1007/s00585-995-0704-9
37. G. Marklund, T. Karlsson, J. Clemmons, On low-altitude particle acceleration and intense electric fields and their relation to black aurora. J. Geophys. Res. 102, 17509-17522 (1997)
38. G.T. Marklund, T. Karlsson, Characteristics of the Auroral particle acceleration in the upward and downward current regions. Phys. Chem. Earth 26, 81-96 (2001)
39. G. Marklund, N. Ivchenko, T. Karlsson, A. Fazakerley, M. Dunlop, P.-A. Lindquist, S. Buchert, C. Owen, M. Taylor, A. Vaivalds, P. Carter, M. André, A. Balogh, Temporal evolution of the electric field accelerating electrons away from the auroral ionosphere. Nature 414, 724-727 (2001). doi:10.1038/414724a Medline
40. G. Marklund, Det svarta norrskenet. Forskning och Framsteg, January 2004
41. G. Marklund, T. Karlsson, S. Figueiredo, T. Johansson, P.-A. Lindqvist, M. André, S. Buchert, L. Kistler, A. Fazakerley, Characteristics of quasi-static potential structures observed in the auroral return current region by Cluster. Nonlinear Process. Geophys. 11, 709-720 (2004)
42. G.T.Marklund, T. Karlsson, S. Figueiredo, T. Johansson, P.-A. Lindqvist,M. André, S. Buchert, L.M. Kistler, Dynamics and characteristics of electric-field structures in the auroral return current region observed by Cluster. Phys. Scripta (2006). doi:10.1088/0031-8949/2006/ T122/008
43. G. Marklund, T. Johansson, S. Liléo, T. Karlsson, Cluster observations of an auroral potential and associated field-aligned current reconfiguration during thinning of the plasma sheet boundary layer. J. Geophys. Res. 112 (2007). doi:10.1029/2006JA011804
44. F.S. Mozer, C.A. Catell, M.K. Hudson, R.L. Lysak, M. Temerin, R.B. Torbert, Satellite measurements and theories of low-altitude auroral particle acceleration. Space Sci. Rev. 27, 155 (1980). doi:10.1007/BF00212238
45. F.S. Mozer, C.A. Kletzing, Direct observation of large, quasi-static, parallel electric fields in the auroral acceleration region. Geophys. Res. Lett. 25, 1629 (1998). doi:10.1029/98GL00849
46. P. Mizera, D. Gorney, J. Fennell, Experimental verification of an S-shaped potential structure. J. Geophys. Res. 87, 1535-1539 (1982). doi:10.1029/JA087iA03p01535
47. G. Paschmann, S. Haaland, R. Treumann, Auroral Plasma Physics. Space Sciences Series of ISSI (Kluwer, Dordrecht, 2003)
48. Y. Song, R.L. Lysak, Towards a new paradigm: from a quasi-steady description to a dynamical description of the magnetosphere. Space Sci. Rev. 95, 273-292 (2001). doi:10.1023/A:1005288420253
49. A.V. Streltsov, G.T. Marklund, Divergent electric fields in downward current channels. J. Geophys. Res. 111(A07204) (2006). doi:10.1029/2005JA011196
50. M. Temerin, K. Cerny, W. Lotko, F.S. Mozer, Observations of double layers and solitary waves in the auroral plasma. Phys. Rev. Lett. 48, 1175-1179 (1982). doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.48.1175
51. M. Temerin, C.W. Carlson, Current voltage relations in the downward auroral current region. Geophys. Res. Lett. 25, 2365-2368 (1998). doi:10.1029/98GL01865
52. J. Vedin, K. Rönnmark, Electrostatic potentials in the downward auroral current region. J. Geophs. Res. 110 (2005). doi:10.1029/ 2005JA011083
53. D.R. Weimer, C.K. Goertz, D. Gurnett, Auroral zone electric fields from DE 1 and DE 2 at magnetic conjunctions. J. Geophys. Res. 90, 7479-7494 (1985). doi:10.1029/JA090iA08p07479