Parallel Current Effects on Auroral E-Region Plasma Instabilities.
Abstract
Consider the effect of a field aligned current on the development of plasma instabilities in the auroral electrojet. It is found that the inclusion of the parallel current modifies the threshold criteria for the onset of the Farley Buneman instability, and may cause excitation of oblique ion sound waves. Apply these results to the auroral E region and show that they explain some observations of auroral irregularities, for example, the presence of type I irregularities for sub-threshold conditions (when the electron Hall drift is less than the ion-sound speed), and the observation of irregularities which are not highly field aligned.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 19, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA172906
Entities
People
- Joseph D. Huba
- P. K. Chaturvedi
- P. Satyanarayana
- Sidney L. Ossakow
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory