The interplay of Alfv\'{e}n waves and energized electrons with auroral ionospheric plasma
ORAL
Abstract
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.
*Supported by NASA grants NNG05GF67G and NNX07ATI17G and NSF grant ATM-0505918.
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