Self-consistent wave-particle interactions in dispersive scale long-period field-line-resonances

R. Rankin, C. E. J. Watt, J. C. Samson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Using 1D Vlasov drift-kinetic computer simulations, it is shown that electron trapping in long period standing shear Alfven waves (SAWs) provides an efficient energy sink for wave energy that is much more effective than Landau damping. It is also suggested that the plasma environment of low altitude auroral-zone geomagnetic field lines is more suited to electron acceleration by inertial or kinetic scale Alfven waves. This is due to the self-consistent response of the electron distribution function to SAWs, which must accommodate the low altitude large-scale current system in standing waves. We characterize these effects in terms of the relative magnitude of the wave phase and electron thermal velocities. While particle trapping is shown to be significant across a wide range of plasma temperatures and wave frequencies, we find that electron beam formation in long period waves is more effective in relatively cold plasma.
Original languageEnglish
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume34
Issue number23
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2007
Externally publishedYes

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