Ion Heating Perpendicular to the Magnetic Field
Abstract
Several theories of ion heating perpendicular to the geomagnetic field are briefly reviewed and assessed. Perpendicular heating of ions leading to the formation of ion conics is common in the ionosphere and magnetosphere. Ion conics at altitudes above a few thousand kilometers are often associated with waves around the ion gyrofrequency. It is concluded that the majority of these ion conics that are locally heated or generated over extended altitude regimes, may be best explained by ion cyclotron resonance heating. At lower altitudes, particularly in the region of discrete auroras, energization by turbulence around the lower hybrid frequency seems to be an important heating mechanism. Transverse heating by low frequency waves, Ion heating, Ion conics, Waves around the ion gyrofrequency, Ion cyclotron resonance heating, Energization by turbulence around the lower hybrid frequency.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 28, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA286635
Entities
People
- Mats Andre
- Tom Chang
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology