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Electromagnetic wave energization of heavy ions by the electric “phase bunching” process
Author(s) -
Mauk B. H.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl009i010p01163
Subject(s) - magnetosphere , cyclotron , physics , ion , electric field , phase (matter) , atomic physics , electromagnetic radiation , computational physics , plasma , optics , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics
Magnetic "wave trapping" and what is termed here electric "phase bunching" are shown to be the high and low energy behaviors which result when a magnetized heavy ion interacts with a nearly resonant electromagnetic cyclotron wave. The properties of electric "phase bunching" are explored by computer simulation. Because these properties match observations it is concluded that the strongly cyclotron phase bunched and energized helium ions, observed in association with waves in the earth's geostationary magnetosphere, are generated by this electric "bunching" process.