A collisional kinetic model of the polar wind

dc.contributor.author	Pierrard, V.
dc.contributor.author	Lemaire, J.
dc.date	1998
dc.date.accessioned	2017-05-19T11:04:37Z
dc.date.available	2017-05-19T11:04:37Z
dc.identifier.uri	https://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/5411
dc.description	The effects of Coulomb collisions in the transition region between the collision-dominated regime at low altitudes and the collisionless regime at high altitudes have been taken into account to study the escape of H+ ions in the polar wind. A specialized spectral method is used to solve the steady state Fokker-Planck equation describing the diffusion and upward bulk motion of H+ ions through a background of O+ ions. The H+ ion velocity distribution function is determined as a function of altitude for realistic initial conditions in the whole velocity space. We emphasize the importance for a correct choice of the boundary conditions at v = 0 to obtain regular mathematical solutions. The results of this kinetic model are compared with results of earlier polar wind models based on different approximations of the plasma transport equations.
dc.language	eng
dc.title	A collisional kinetic model of the polar wind
dc.type	Article
dc.subject.frascati	Physical sciences
dc.audience	Scientific
dc.source.title	Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
dc.source.volume	103
dc.source.issue	A6
dc.source.page	11701-11709
Orfeo.peerreviewed	Yes
dc.identifier.doi	10.1029/98JA00628
dc.identifier.scopus	2-s2.0-0001515062