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Numerical and laboratory simulations of auroral acceleration

dc.contributor.authorGunell, H.
dc.contributor.authorDe Keyser, J.
dc.contributor.authorMann, I.
dc.date2013
dc.date.accessioned2016-03-25T11:11:12Z
dc.date.available2016-03-25T11:11:12Z
dc.identifier.urihttps://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/2943
dc.descriptionThe existence of parallel electric fields is an essential ingredient of auroral physics, leading to the acceleration of particles that give rise to the auroral displays. An auroral flux tube is modelled using electrostatic Vlasov simulations, and the results are compared to simulations of a proposed laboratory device that is meant for studies of the plasma physical processes that occur on auroral field lines. The hot magnetospheric plasma is represented by a gas discharge plasma source in the laboratory device, and the cold plasma mimicking the ionospheric plasma is generated by a Q-machine source. In both systems, double layers form with plasma density gradients concentrated on their high potential sides. The systems differ regarding the properties of ion acoustic waves that are heavily damped in the magnetosphere, where the ion population is hot, but weakly damped in the laboratory, where the discharge ions are cold. Ion waves are excited by the ion beam that is created by acceleration in the double layer in both systems. The efficiency of this beam-plasma interaction depends on the acceleration voltage. For voltages where the interaction is less efficient, the laboratory experiment is more space-like.
dc.languageeng
dc.titleNumerical and laboratory simulations of auroral acceleration
dc.typeArticle
dc.subject.frascatiPhysical sciences
dc.audienceScientific
dc.subject.freeAcceleration of particles
dc.subject.freeAcceleration voltages
dc.subject.freeGas-discharge plasmas
dc.subject.freeLaboratory experiments
dc.subject.freeLaboratory simulation
dc.subject.freeMagnetospheric plasmas
dc.subject.freeParallel electric fields
dc.subject.freePlasma density gradient
dc.subject.freeBeam plasma interactions
dc.subject.freeElectric discharges
dc.subject.freeElectric fields
dc.subject.freeGas discharge tubes
dc.subject.freeIon acoustic waves
dc.subject.freeMagnetosphere
dc.subject.freePlasmas
dc.subject.freeLaboratories
dc.source.titlePhysics of Plasmas
dc.source.volume20
dc.source.issue10
dc.source.page102901
Orfeo.peerreviewedYes
dc.identifier.doi10.1063/1.4824453
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-84887217735


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