Simulation of ion outflows in the ionosphere

Ion outflows are observed in the polar region in response to particle precipitation and magnetospheric wave activity. In order to study the ion outflow, we modified the previously developed two-dimensional model of realistic active ionosphere [Sydorenko, 2012] by including ion motion along the geomagnetic field. The new model considers a layer of near-Earth plasma of thickness of a few thousand kilometers. The plasma consists of multiple ion species. Collisions between particles are accounted for everywhere, even at high altitudes where they are negligible. Therefore, unlike in the previous model, the electron and ion dynamics is continuous. Chemical reactions between different ion and neutral species are included. Simulations demonstrate formation of field-aligned ion flows when an intense Alfven wave or electron precipitation perturbs the ionosphere. The significance of the results is discussed in the context of Canadian Space Agency e-POP spacecraft mission. Sydorenko D. and R. Rankin, "Simulation of ionospheric disturbances created by Alfven waves", submitted to Journal of Geophysical Research, 2012.