Velocity resonant wave-particle interactions

A very direct measurement of the auroral beam/ionospheric plasma interaction is considered. Auroral beam electrons provide energy for the growth of waves which in turn modify the overall distribution function of the beam and ionospheric plasma combined. The AMPTE UKS particle correlator (SPACE) was used to study wave-particle interactions initialized by the AMPTE artificial comet release of barium in the solar wind. SPACE on AMPTE-UKS has been used to study electron heating processes occurring in the earth's bow shock. The shock potential generated electron beams present in the bow shock are directly identified as being responsible for the high frequency electrostatic wave component observed in shocks.