Open AccessInhomogeneous transverse electric fields and wave generation in the auroral region: A statistical study
Author(s) -
Hamrin Maria,
André Mats,
Ganguli Gurudas,
Gavrishchaka Valeri V.,
Koepke Mark E.,
Zintl Michael W.,
Ivchenko Nickolay,
Karlsson Tomas,
Clemmons James H.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2001ja900003
Subject(s) - physics , electric field , transverse plane , instability , cyclotron , geophysics , computational physics , earth's magnetic field , plasma , ion , ionosphere , electromagnetic radiation , magnetic field , atomic physics , optics , mechanics , nuclear physics , structural engineering , quantum mechanics , engineering
We use data from the Freja satellite to investigate the importance of localized transverse DC electric fields for the generation of broadband waves responsible for ion heating in the auroral region. Theoretical models indicate that shear in the plasma flow perpendicular to the geomagnetic field can generate waves in a broad range around the ion gyrofrequency for parallel currents significantly below the threshold of the current‐driven electrostatic ion cyclotron instability. We compare in situ data with laboratory measurements and theoretical predictions, and we find that inhomogeneous electric fields might well be important for the generation of waves in the auroral region.