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Evolution of the Electron Distribution Function in the Whistler Wave Turbulence of the Solar Wind
Author(s) -
Viviane Pierrard,
M. Lazar,
R. Schlickeiser
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
solar physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.026
H-Index - 123
eISSN - 1573-093X
pISSN - 0038-0938
DOI - 10.1007/s11207-010-9700-7
Subject(s) - whistler , physics , solar wind , electron , computational physics , distribution function , corona (planetary geology) , particle acceleration , plasma , quantum mechanics , astrobiology , venus
The electron distribution functions from the solar corona to the solar wind are determined in this paper by considering the effects of the external forces, of Coulomb collisions and of the wave – particle resonant interactions in the plasma wave turbulence. The electrons are assumed to be interacting with right-handed polarized waves in the whistler regime. The acceleration of electrons in the solar wind seems to be mainly due to the electrostatic potential. Wave turbulence determines the electron pitch-angle diffusion and some characteristics of the velocity distribution function (VDF) such as suprathermal tails. The role of parallel whistlers can also be extended to small altitudes in the solar wind (the acceleration region of the outer corona), where they may explain the energization and the presence of suprathermal electrons.

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