On the origin of the auroral inverted-V electron spectra |
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| Authors: | Krzysztof Stasiewicz |
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| Institution: | Space Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland |
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| Abstract: | On the basis of quasi-linear theory of ion-acoustic turbulence it is shown that the angular and energy distribution of the electron spectra observed in quasi-static inverted-V structures are natural products of electron heating and runaway processes occuring in a region of current-driven turbulence located at h ≈ 1 Re. The power law population J ∞ E?γ, with γ ≈ 1 observed in the energy range ~ 25–1000 eV, is interpreted as a quasi-stationary distribution of suprathermal electrons interacting resonantly with the ion sound waves. This spectrum is generated in the turbulent region and convectively transported earthward along the magnetic field lines. Field-aligned intense electron fluxes with collimation angle < 10° are explained as due to particles escaping from the turbulent region through the runaway cone—a characteristic feature of velocity-space in ion-acoustic turbulence. A complete, new interpretation of the observed electron spectra is given on the basis of the proposed physical acceleration mechanism along with many other implications of this theory. |
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