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At least 163 records · Page 9

LOKI

LOKI is a simulation code that models weakly-coupled plasma evolution using Eulerian kinetic models in four phase space dimensions. The code is useful to understand basic plasma nonlinear plasma physics phenomena - in particular, wave-particle and wave-wave resonances that occur in laser plasma interactions. LOKI can simulate fundamental physical process in low-density plasmas on a scale of hundreds of light wavelengths. It does so by solving the relativistic Vlasov and Valsov-Fokker-Planck differential transport equations describing the collision less and low-collisionality evolution of charged particles in electromagnetic fields in two configuration space and two velocity space dimensions. Two principle electromagnetic models are provided: electrostatic (Poisson's Equation) and electromagnetic (Maxwell's equations).

DIMITS, ANDRIS↗

Kinetic Properties of an Interplanetary Shock Propagating Inside a Coronal Mass Ejection

We investigate the kinetic properties of a typical fast-mode shock inside an interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) observed on 1998 August 6 at 1 au, including particle distributions and wave analysis with the in situ measurements from Wind. Key results are obtained concerning the shock and the shock-ICME interaction at kinetic scales: (1) gyrating ions, which may provide energy dissipation at the shock in addition to wave-particle interactions, are observed around the shock ramp; (2) despite the enhanced proton temperature anisotropy of the shocked plasma, the low plasma beta inside the ICME constrains the shocked plasma under the thresholds of the ion cyclotron and mirror-mode instabilities; (3) whistler heat flux instabilities, which can pitch-angle scatter halo electrons through a cyclotron resonance, are observed around the shock, and can explain the disappearance of bi-directional electrons (BDEs) inside the ICME together with normal betatron acceleration; (4) whistler waves near the shock are likely associated with the whistler heat flux instabilities excited at the shock ramp, which is consistent with the result that the waves may originate from the shock ramp; (5) the whistlers share a similar characteristic with the shocklet whistlers observed by Wilson et al., providing possible evidence that the shock is decaying because of the strong magnetic field inside the ICME.

Liu, Mingzhe↗

Plasma waves in the dayside polar cusp. I - Magnetospheric observations.

General survey of the Ogo 5 plasma-wave measurements for the dayside polar-cusp encounters of Nov. 1, 1968, and detailed analysis of the observations at the low-altitude (r approximately 3 to 5 earth radii) cusp boundaries. The survey section contains an overall discussion of the ULF magnetic-field wave levels and the VLF electric-field amplitude ranges measured from perigee out to 9 earth radii on Nov. 1, 1968. These cusp-associated observations are compared with those made on Oct. 27 and Nov. 6, 1968, when Ogo 5 traversed the dayside magnetosphere without encountering the cusp. It is shown that at the November 1 low-altitude cusp boundaries intense wave levels were detected over a broad spectral region at the steep gradients in cusp plasma density and thermal energy. The results are interpreted in terms of drift instabilities for low-beta plasmas with hot ions, and associated wave-particle and wave-wave interactions are briefly discussed.

Scarf, F. L.↗

Strong Langmuir turbulence

Beam-excited Langmuir turbulence in the solar wind is discussed and the criteria for wave-particle, three-wave and strong turbulence interactions are explained. The results of a numerical integration of the Zakharov equations are presented which describe the strong turbulence saturation of a weak (low-density) high energy, bump-on-tail beam instability.

Goldman, M. V.↗

Advances in magnetospheric plasma-wave research during the IMS

Investigations of auroral radiation; terrestrial nonthermal continuum radiation; magnetospheric electrostatic emissions; ELF-VLF wave observations in the ionosphere and magnetosphere; wave-particle interactions; plasma wave propagation; plasma parameters; and ground-based observations of the magnetosphere during the International Magnetospheric Study are summarized.

Anderson, R. R.↗

Major Pathways to Electron Distribution Function Formation in Regions of Diffuse Aurora

This paper discusses the major pathways of electron distribution function formation in the region of diffuse aurora. The diffuse aurora accounts for about of 75% of the auroral energy precipitating into the upper atmosphere, and its origin has been the subject of much discussion. We show that an earthward stream of precipitating electrons initially injected from the Earth's plasma sheet via wave-particle interactions degrades in the atmosphere toward lower energies and produces secondary electrons via impact ionization of the neutral atmosphere. These electrons of magnetospheric origin are then reflected back into the magnetosphere along closed dipolar magnetic field lines, leading to a series of reflections and consequent magnetospheric interactions that greatly augment the initially precipitating flux at the upper ionospheric boundary (700-800 km). To date this, systematic magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling element has not been included in auroral research models, and, as we demonstrate in this article, has a dramatic effect (200-300%) on the formation of the precipitating fluxes that result in the diffuse aurora. It is shown that wave-particle interaction processes that drive precipitating fluxes in the region of diffuse aurora from the magnetospheric altitudes are only the first step in the formation of electron precipitation at ionospheric altitudes, and they cannot be separated from the atmospheric collisional machine that redistributes and transfers their energy inside the magnetosphere-ionosphere-atmosphere coupling system.

magnetospheric↗

Nonlinear analysis of a relativistic beam-plasma cyclotron instability

A self-consistent set of nonlinear and relativistic wave-particle equations are derived for a magnetized beam-plasma system interacting with electromagnetic cyclotron waves. In particular, the high-frequency cyclotron mode interacting with a streaming and gyrating electron beam within a background plasma is considered in some detail. This interaction mode may possibly find application as a high-power source of coherent short-wavelength radiation for laboratory devices. The background plasma, although passive, plays a central role in this mechanism by modifying the dielectric properties in which the magnetized electron beam propagates. For a particular choice of the transverse beam velocity (i.e., the speed of light divided by the relativistic mass factor), the interaction frequency equals the nonrelativistic electron cyclotron frequency times the relativistic mass factor. For this choice of transverse beam velocity the detrimental effects of a longitudinal beam velocity spread is virtually removed. Power conversion efficiencies in excess of 18 percent are both analytically calculated and obtained through numerical simulations of the wave-particle equations. The quality of the electron beam, degree of energy and pitch angle spread, and its effect on the beam-plasma cyclotron instability is studied.

Sprangle, P.↗

Concerning the Interaction of A Transmitted Interplanetary Impulse With A Plasmaspheric Drainage Plume: First Results From 3-D Hybrid Kinetic Modeling

We present a new hybrid kinetic model to simulate the response of plasmaspheric drainage plumes to impulsive interplanetary pressure pulses. Since particle distributions attending the interplanetary pulses and in the drainage plume are non-Maxwellian, wave-particle interactions play a crucial role in energy transport within and outside the plumes. Finite gyroradius effects become important in mass loading of the transmitted impulse with the drainage plume ions. A forward-reverse shock structure develops from the initial step-like transmitted shock. First results show that the impulse causes strong deformations in the global structure of the plume. The anisotropic ion velocity distribution functions at the impulse front and inside the plume help us determine energy transport via wave-particle interactions throughout the Earth’s inner magnetosphere.

A S Lipatov↗

The Evolution of a Pitch-Angle "Bite-Out" Scattering Signature Caused by EMIC Wave Activity: A Case Study

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are understood to be one of the dominant drivers of relativistic electron loss from Earth's radiation belts. Theory predicts that the associated gyroresonant wave‐particle interaction results in a distinct energy‐dependent “bite‐out” signature in the normalized flux distribution of electrons as they are scattered into the loss cone. We identify such signatures along with the responsible EMIC waves captured in situ by the Van Allen Probes on 15–16 February 2017. Using the cold plasma approximation, we predict the pitch‐angle cutoffs for the scattering signature for the captured EMIC wave and find it in good agreement with the observed electron bite‐out scattering signature. Employing the close conjunction between the Van Allen Probes and THEMIS during this time, we explore the temporal and spatial evolution of the scattering signature, as well as the surrounding wave activity, and find that the scattering signature formed during continued wave activity over a period less than a day. These results are consistent with wave‐particle interaction theory and support the hypothesis that EMIC waves are an important mechanism for rapid relativistic electron loss from the radiation belts.

Bingley, L.↗

Unified Models of Turbulence and Nonlinear Wave Evolution in the Extended Solar Corona and Solar Wind

The PI (Cranmer) and Co-I (A. van Ballegooijen) made substantial progress toward the goal of producing a unified model of the basic physical processes responsible for solar wind acceleration. The approach outlined in the original proposal comprised two complementary pieces: (1) to further investigate individual physical processes under realistic coronal and solar wind conditions, and (2) to extract the dominant physical effects from simulations and apply them to a 1D model of plasma heating and acceleration. The accomplishments in Year 2 are divided into these two categories: 1a. Focused Study of Kinetic Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Turbulence. lb. Focused Study of Non - WKB Alfven Wave Rejection. and 2. The Unified Model Code. We have continued the development of the computational model of a time-study open flux tube in the extended corona. The proton-electron Monte Carlo model is being tested, and collisionless wave-particle interactions are being included. In order to better understand how to easily incorporate various kinds of wave-particle processes into the code, the PI performed a detailed study of the so-called "Ito Calculus", i.e., the mathematical theory of how to update the positions of particles in a probabilistic manner when their motions are governed by diffusion in velocity space.

Cranmer, Steven R.↗

Spectra of KeV Protons Related to Ion-Cyclotron Wave Packets

We use the Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov equation to study the statistical aspects of stochastic dynamics of the radiation belt (RB) protons driven by nonlinear electromagnetic ion-cyclotron (EMIC) wave packets. We obtain the spectra of keV protons scattered by these waves that showsteeping near the gyroresonance, the signature of resonant wave-particle interaction that cannot be described by a simple power law. The most likely mechanism for proton precipitation events in RBs is shown to be nonlinear wave-particle interaction, namely, the scattering of RB protons into the loss cone by EMIC waves.

electromagnetic ion-cyclotron↗

Terrestrial versus Jovian VLF chorus - A comparative study

The relevant parameters of the magnetospheres of Jupiter and earth are investigated based on the wave-particle resonant interactions that are believed to be responsible for the generation of VLF chorus emissions observed on Voyager 1. Expressions are derived for the wave-particle interaction length and the nonlinearity parameter, and the values of these parameters are compared with those calculated for the earth's magnetosphere. It is determined that the typical interaction lengths are at least 2-5 times larger in the Jovian than in the terrestrial magnetosphere, and that the wave intensity necessary to reach the threshold of nonlinearity in the Jovian magnetosphere is 5-100 times lower. Measurements by Voyager 1 show that the inferred wave magnetic field intensities of the Jovian chorus are in the range of reported intensities for terrestrial chorus, probably due to the fact that the fluxes of few keV resonant particles found in the Jovian magnetosphere were typically two orders of magnitude higher. Growth rate measurements on Voyager 1 broadband wave data are employed to confirm that the temporal growth rates of Jovian chorus bursts are higher than for the earth.

Inan, U. S.↗

Magnetohydrodynamic turbulence dissipation and stochastic proton acceleration in solar flares

The Alfven and fast magnetosonic wave MHD modes can stochastically accelerate protons from super-Alfvenic to ultrarelativistic energies in solar flares. It is the Landau resonance, however, which generates most of the magnetosonic wave energy being dissipated on electron heating rather than on stochastic proton acceleration. Alfven waves are also subject to a nonlinear wave-particle interaction, and nonlinear Landau damping can selectively and efficiently heat the ambient protons to preaccelerate many to super-Alfvenic speeds. A spectrum of Alfven waves can therefore energize protons from low-temperature thermal to ultrarelativistic energies through a combination of linear and nonlinear particle-wave interactions.

Miller, James A.↗

Source of the Bursty Bulk Flow Diffuse Aurora: Electrostatic Cyclotron Harmonic and Whistler Waves in the Coupling of Bursty Bulk Flows to Auroral Precipitation

Electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) and whistler chorus waves are recognized as the two mechanisms responsible for the resonant wave‐particle interactions necessary to precipitate plasma sheet electrons into the ionosphere, producing the diffuse Aurora. Previous work has demonstrated ECH waves dominate electron scattering at L shells >8, while whistler chorus dominates scattering at L shells L < 8. However, we find from Time History of Events and Macroscale (THEMIS) Interactions during Substorms observations of fast flows at L = 12 that oblique whistler chorus emissions play the dominant role in scattering electrons. Previous works have identified whistler‐mode waves within fast flows that are produced by an electron temperature anisotropy Te,⊥/Te,||> 1, consistent with electron betatron acceleration. Here, however, we find whistler chorus emissions throughout an interval of fast flows where Te,⊥/Te,||< 1. Parallel electron beams account for the enhanced parallel electron temperature and serve as the instability mechanism for the whistler chorus. The parallel electron beams and associated cigar‐shaped distributions are consistent with Fermi acceleration at dipolarizations in fast flows. We demonstrate that the scattering efficiency of the whistler chorus exceeds that of ECH waves, which THEMIS also detects during the fast flows. The obliquity of the whistler waves permits efficient scattering of lower‐energy electrons into the diffuse aurora. We conclude that Fermi acceleration of electrons provides one important free‐energy source for the wave‐particle interactions responsible for coupling plasma sheet electrons into the diffuse aurora during substorm conditions.

Wendel, D. E.↗

Physical processes in the plasma mantle of Venus

The results are presented of a study, which analyzed data from 10 Pioneer Venus orbits in order to see whether similar wave particle interaction processes also exist in the corresponding region around Venus. The first conclusion is that the apparent physical processes in the mantle are indeed similar around Venus and Mars. The planetary thermal O(+) ions outside the ionopause interact with the shocked solar wind and excite electrostatic waves close to the lower hybrid frequency. These waves propagate inwards, heating first the electron and deeper down in the ionosphere the thermal ion population. The observed superthermal ions are believed to be the product of this wave particle interaction process. It is also concluded that the wave energy transferred to the thermal electrons is of the right magnitude (about 4 x 10 exp 9 eV/sq cm s) to provide the supplemental heat source necessary to reconcile observed and calculated electron temperatures in the ionosphere.

Szego, K.↗

Simulations of ion cyclotron anisotropy instabilities in the terrestrial magnetosheath

Enhanced transverse magnetic fluctuations observed below the proton cyclotron frequency in the terrestrial magnetosheath have been identified as due to the proton cyclotron and helium cyclotron instabilities driven by the T-perpendicular greater than T-parallel condition of the sheath ions. One-dimensional hybrid computer simulations are used here to examine the nonlinear properties of these two growing modes at relatively weak fluctuation energies and for wave vectors parallel to the background magnetic field. Second-order theory predicts fluctuating magnetic field energies at saturation of the proton cyclotron anisotropy instability in semiquantitative agreement with the simulation results. Introduction of the helium component enhances the wave-particle exchange rate for proton anisotropy reduction by that instability, thereby reducing the saturation energy of that mode. The simulations demonstrate that wave-particle interactions by the proton cyclotron and helium cyclotron instabilities lead to the anticorrelation observed by Anderson and Fuselier (1993).

Gary, S. P.↗

A second-order theory for transverse ion heating and momentum coupling due to electrostatic ion cyclotron waves

A second-order theory for electrostatic instabilities driven by counterstreaming ion beams is developed which describes momentum coupling and heating of the plasma via wave-particle interactions. Exchange rates between the waves and particles are derived, which are suitable for the fluid equations simulating microscopic effects on macroscopic scales. Using a fully kinetic simulation, the electrostatic ion cyclotron instability due to counterstreaming H(+) beams has been simulated. A power spectrum from the kinetic simulation is used to evaluate second-order exchange rates. The calculated heating and momentum loss from second-order theory is compared to the numerical simulation.

Miller, Ronald H.↗