Resonant Modes and Ion Acceleration in Density-Depleted Plasma Cavities
Abstract
Measurements in auroral ionospheric plasmas show the presence of intense lower-hybrid fields within density-depleted plasma cavities.(K. A. Lynch et al., J. Geophys. Res. 104), 28515 (1999). These fields are of interest because they may help explain the observed energization of ions within these cavities. We present analytical and numerical results from models describing the resonant field structures that can be excited within a plasma density cavity. We also model the interactions of ions with such spatially localized electrostatic fields. In contrast to ion interactions with spatially extended multiple waves,(D. Bénisti et al., Phys. Plasmas 5), 3224 and 3233 (1998); A. K. Ram et al., J. Geophys. Res. 103, 9431 (1998). localized fields introduce a different decoherence in the interaction. The conditions for which energization of ions takes place will be discussed.
- Publication:
-
APS Division of Plasma Physics Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- October 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003APS..DPPGP1129R