Session B1: Earth Science and Atmospheric Physics

10:30 AM–12:06 PM, Friday, October 17, 2008
Union East, 3rd Floor Room: Templeton

Chair: Rosa Fitzgerald, The University of Texas at El Paso

Abstract ID: BAPS.2008.TS4CF.B1.4

Abstract: B1.00004 : The interplay of Alfv\'{e}n waves and energized electrons with auroral ionospheric plasma

11:30 AM–11:42 AM

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Authors:

  James Horwitz
    (Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019)

  Fajer Jaafari
    (Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019)

  Sam Jones
    (Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019)

  Yi-Jiun Su
    (Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019)

  Wen Zeng
    (Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019)

Replace this text with your abstract body. Alfv\'{e}n waves propagating along magnetic field lines in the auroral ionosphere-magnetosphere system involve parallel electric fields which can accelerate auroral electrons. Here, we examine the propagation of Alfv\'{e}n waves within O$^{+}$ and H$^{+}$ auroral ionosphere-magnetosphere density profiles from the UT Arlington Dynamic Fluid-Kinetic (DyFK) ionospheric plasma transport model, and explore the energization of Alfv\'{e}nic electrons and their effects on the ionosphere-magnetosphere plasma system. A linear one dimensional gyrofluid code is used for the Alfv\'{e}n wave description, incorporating electron inertia, electron pressure gradient and finite ion gyroradius effects. This allows determination of the characteristics of the propagating Alfv\'{e}n waves which generate the inertial parallel electric field responsible for energizing electrons. Using a test particle we simulate the response of a distribution of electrons to these Alfv\'{e}n wave electric fields. These electrons are incorporated into the DyFK model to produce the associated ionization and thermal electron heating.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2008.TS4CF.B1.4