Open AccessParallel potential driven by a kinetic Alfvén wave on geomagnetic field lines
Author(s) -
Tikhonchuk V. T.,
Rankin R.
Publication year - 2002
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 - 10.1029/2001ja000231
Subject(s) - magnetosphere , physics , earth's magnetic field , electron , magnetic field , electric field , field line , ionospheric dynamo region , ring current , geophysics , computational physics , line of force , alfvén wave , atomic physics , quantum electrodynamics , geomagnetic storm , magnetohydrodynamics , quantum mechanics
The generation of parallel electric fields by a shear Alfvén wave standing along closed magnetic field lines in Earth's magnetosphere is considered under the condition that the electron bounce period is smaller than the wave period. The effects of the inhomogeneity of the magnetic field, plasma density, and electron temperature are analyzed in terms of the magnitude of the parallel potential, its location, and the distribution function of the current‐carrying electrons. The theory demonstrates a possible mechanism for keV electron energization in the polar magnetosphere.