Source processes in the high-latitude ionosphere

Space Science Reviews -     

Electric fields in the ionosphere and magnetosphere

In this paper we review low altitude observations of the high latitude convection electric field as obtained with a variety of instruments including polar orbiting spacecraft, barium, incoherent and coherent scatter radars, and ground-based magnetometers. There still appears to be some contradiction in the observations particularly with regard to plasma flow into and out of the polar cap. Also, there does not appear to be any simple relationship between the sign of B _y and the local time location of the throat region. Rather, under active conditions, it appears that the plasma entry and exit regions rotate towards earlier times and there is a significant component of dawn-dusk flow across the polar cap. Superimposed on this may be some B _y-dependence of the plasma entry region.     

Electrodynamic coupling of the magnetosphere and ionosphere

The auroral zone ionosphere is coupled to the outer magnetosphere by means of field-aligned currents. Parallel electric fields associated with these currents are now widely accepted to be responsible for the acceleration of auroral particles. This paper will review the theoretical concepts and models describing this coupling. The dynamics of auroral zone particles will be described, beginning with the adiabatic motions of particles in the converging geomagnetic field in the presence of parallel potential drops and then considering the modifications to these adiabatic trajectories due to wave-particle interactions. The formation of parallel electric fields can be viewed both from microscopic and macroscopic viewpoints. The presence of a current carrying plasma can give rise to plasma instabilities which in a weakly turbulent situation can affect the particle motions, giving rise to an effective resistivity in the plasma. Recent satellite observations, however, indicate that the parallel electric field is organized into discrete potential jumps, known as double layers. From a macroscopic viewpoint, the response of the particles to a parallel potential drop leads to an approximately linear relationship between the current density and the potential drop.The currents flowing in the auroral circuit must close in the ionosphere. To a first approximation, the ionospheric conductivity can be considered to be constant, and in this case combining the ionospheric Ohm's Law with the linear current-voltage relation for parallel currents leads to an outer scale length, above which electric fields can map down to the ionosphere and below which parallel electric fields become important. The effects of particle precipitation make the picture more complex, leading to enhanced ionization in upward current regions and to the possibility of feedback interactions with the magnetosphere.Determining adiabatic particle orbits in steady-state electric and magnetic fields can be used to determine the self-consistent particle and field distributions on auroral field lines. However, it is difficult to pursue this approach when the fields are varying with time. Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models deal with these time-dependent situations by treating the particles as a fluid. This class of model, however, cannot treat kinetic effects in detail. Such effects can in some cases be modeled by effective transport coefficients inserted into the MHD equations. Intrinsically time-dependent processes such as the development of magnetic micropulsations and the response of the magnetosphere to ionospheric fluctuations can be readily treated in this framework.The response of the lower altitude auroral zone depends in part on how the system is driven. Currents are generated in the outer parts of the magnetosphere as a result of the plasma convection. The dynamics of this region is in turn affected by the coupling to the ionosphere. Since dissipation rates are very low in the outer magnetosphere, the convection may become turbulent, implying that nonlinear effects such as spectral transfer of energy to different scales become important. MHD turbulence theory, modified by the ionospheric coupling, can describe the dynamics of the boundary-layer region. Turbulent MHD fluids can give rise to the generation of field-aligned currents through the so-called -effect, which is utilized in the theory of the generation of the Earth's magnetic field. It is suggested that similar processes acting in the boundary-layer plasma may be ultimately responsible for the generation of auroral currents.     

The outer ionosphere

The results from ionospheric beacon observations are compared with the theory of F-layer and outer ionosphere. Near sunspot minimum the total electron content up to 1000 km at medium latitudes is 1–2 × 10¹⁷ m^-2 in the afternoon and about 0.3 × 10¹⁷ m^-2 at night. The diurnal and latitudinal variations are more irregular during summer than during winter. Near sunspot maximum the respective values are about 1.5 × 10¹⁷ m^-2 at night, 6–7 x 10¹⁷ m^-2 near winternoon, 4 × 10¹⁷ m^-2 near summernoon.The complete theory of diffusion in a multi-ion plasma gives very complicated expressions. Simpler approximations can be found respectively. Some models were calculated numerically and the dependence of the total electron on the parameters of the balance equation is investigated.Comparison with experimental results shows, that some main features of the diurnal and latitudinal variations of the total electron can be explained. The seasonal anomaly, the slow decrease in the late night hours and the large increase toward equator cannot be explained without additional assumptions.     

Measurement of electric fields in the ionosphere and magnetosphere

Space Science Reviews -     

Ground observations of power line radiation coupled to the ionosphere and magnetosphere

Ground-based VLF observations show evidence that strong whistler-mode waves in the magneto-sphere are often stimulated by harmonic radiation from electrical power transmission lines. These stimulated emissions sometimes dominate the wave activity in the kHz range. A VLF transmitter at Siple, Antarctica has been used to simulate these power line effects with ～ 0.5 W radiated power at a given frequency. Occurrence statistics of power line effects are also summarized.     

Wave-particle interactions in the outer magnetosphere: A review

Summary In summarizing the importance of wave-particle interactions to the geophysical understanding of phenomena in the outer magnetosphere, one can point to the successes and deficiencies of theoretical explanations based on such interactions. A fair assessment of this sort is attempted below.     

Plasma waves in the frequency range 0.001 – 10 cps in the earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere

The plasma model for the magnetosphere and ionosphere is first discussed. A review of some parts of the theory for a warm collisionless plasma of interest in the magnetosphere in connection with waves of periods between 0.1 and 1000 seconds is given. The theory for magnetohydro-dynamic waves in a slightly ionized gas is then summarized. The available observational data about magnetospheric and ionospheric phenomena, which may be interpreted in terms of waves with periods between 0.1 and 1000 seconds, are briefly surveyed and some theoretical applications to the ionosphere and magnetosphere are finally discussed. The theory of shock phenomena and transients in the magnetosphere is not included in the report.     

On the outer ionosphere (and its transition into interplanetary space)

Some properties of the outer ionosphere and its boundary region are discussed on the basis of recent experimental results.The analysis of the new data has shown that the outer ionosphere, a plasma above the ionospheric main maximum, extends to a distance of 3 to 3.5 earth radii from the earth's surface, that is, up to the region of the so-called knee, detected and observed by means of whistlers. During periods of relatively weak magnetic storms, from time to time the electron concentration at this ionospheric boundary jumps downward by factors of 10 to 100, over a height range of only a few hundred kilometres. The inflow of charged particles into the ionosphere apparently takes place through the boundary region. Sometimes these particles are swept into it from the overlying regions.There is a great number of names for the outer ionosphere. Some of these terms, for instance the geocorona, are not at all applicable to the outer ionosphere.From the new experimental results it can be inferred that in a great part of the outer ionosphere there is no quasineutrality, that there are rather strong electric fields, and that the Maxwell ion distribution law of particle velocities breaks down. Therefore, to analyze the ionization balance one should know the particles' velocity distribution functions. Otherwise it would hardly be possible to solve the problem of the formation of the ionosphere.It is shown that within the limits of uncertainty all experimental results are in good agreement and produce a single, comprehensive picture of the structure of the outer ionosphere. Only some data, deduced from measurements of particle streams by means of ion traps, are an exception. They contradict the numerous experimental results. This discrepancy is in particular due to the difficulties of determining the plasma concentration from current density measurements.Some methods are discussed briefly. For instance, the analysis of low-frequency waves, in particular the so-called whistler and the low-frequency plasma radiation, represents a physically adequate and fruitful method for investigating the outer ionosphere.For a theoretical analysis of the above-mentioned data, it is in some cases required to take into account the effect of kinetic corrections to the refraction coefficient, of cyclotron and erenkov attenuation and radiation, etc. Over the next few years this method will come to play a great part in the exploration of the outer ionosphere, interplanetary space, and planets.Measurements of the energy spectra of incoherent back scattering of radio waves on the electron fluctuations will make another very interesting source for studying the outer ionosphere. This method is based on the interaction phenomena of radio waves with the plasma. Therefore, the scattering spectra are functions of the oscillating properties of the plasma. However, these data should be subjected to a thorough theoretical treatment on the basis of a complete theory of scattering.Up till now a sufficiently complete probe theory has not been evolved due to essential theoretical difficulties. Often this does not allow one to interpret adequately the results of measurements and considerably limits the possibilities of these methods.     

Hydromagnetics of the magnetosphere

Different models of the magnetosphere are discussed critically. It is pointed out that there is a principal difference between the case when the impinging interplanetary plasma has no initial magnetization, B ₀ = 0, (as in the Chapman-Ferraro theory), and the case when the plasma is initially magnetized, B ₀ 0, even if B ₀ is very small.In the former case the plasma remains unmagnetized (like a superconductor) and cannot penetrate into the magnetosphere. Therefore the plasma is separated by a sharp boundary from the magnetosphere, (closed magnetosphere model).In the latter case when the plasma is magnetized (which is more realistic) there is a possibility that field lines run from the earth to infinity (open magnetosphere model). Particles from the interplanetary space may penetrate into the magnetosphere. At the same time there may be a number of discontinuity surfaces of different character, such as the Cahill discontinuity.It is important to make terrella experiments in order to study the complicated phenomena occurring when a magnetized plasma penetrates into a dipole field.     

Heavy ions in the magnetosphere

For purposes of this review heavy ions include all species of ions having a mass per unit charge of 2 AMU or greater. The discussion is limited primarily to ions in the energy range between 100 eV and 100 keV. Prior to the discovery in 1972 of large fluxes of energetic O⁺ ions precipitating into the auroral zone during geomagnetic storms, the only reported magnetosphere ion species observed in this energy range were helium and hydrogen. More recently O⁺ and He⁺ have been identified as significant components of the storm time ring current, suggesting that an ionosphere source may be involved in the generation of the fluxes responsible for this current. Mass spectrometer measurements on board the S3-3 satellite have shown that ionospheric ions in the auroral zone are frequently accelerated upward along geomagnetic field lines to several keV energy in the altitude region from 5000 km to greater than 8000 km. These observations also show evidence for acceleration perpendicular to the magnetic field and thus cannot be explained by a parallel electric field alone. This auroral acceleration region is most likely the source for the magnetospheric heavy ions of ionospheric origin, but further acceleration would probably be required to bring them to characteristic ring current energies. Recent observations from the GEOS-1 spacecraft combined with earlier results suggest comparable contributions to the hot magnetopheric plasma from the solar wind and the ionosphere.Proceedings of the Symposium on Solar Terrestrial Physics held in Innsbruck, May–June 1978.     

Hydromagnetic motions in the magnetosphere

Following a brief specification and historical review of hydromagnetic motions in the magnetosphere, the principles of the governing and limiting processes are surveyed. A formal proof of the well-known hydromagnetic theorem is included, and its interpretation in terms of frozen fields is discussed. Some consequences of its application to the magnetosphere are then described, and the value of equipotentials as a means of illuminating the discussion is established. Departures from the hydromagnetic approximation are then evaluated, and their resultant currents described.The general principles find application in a number of processes: rotation, high-latitude circulation in quiet and disturbed conditions, more widespread convection under continuous dynamo action, and irregular motion both of an unstable and of a forced type. All these are reviewed, and one emergent point is emphasized: that direct evidence for the hydromagnetic motions is lacking, but that it can and should be sought.     

Geomagnetic micropulsations and diagnostics of the magnetosphere

Plasma oscillations in a wide range of spectrum exist in the magnetosphere. Part of them penetrate the ionosphere and are recorded on the earth's surface. In the range of frequencies from millihertz to several hertz, the so-called micropulsations (ULF) are observed. In the range from hundred of hertz to several kilohertz the low-frequency emissions (VLF) are registered. Both types of emissions contain interesting and important information on the physical parameters of the magnetosphere and on the processes developing in it. The following paper describes the main problems of the diagnostics of the magnetosphere, which are based on the surface observations of micropulsations.In the first part of the paper, a short summary of theoretical conceptions on micropulsations is given. The main part of the paper describes the methods of diagnostics of the location of the boundary of the magnetosphere, of cold-plasma concentration in the outer regions of the magnetosphere, as well as of the energies and fluxes of fast charged particles in the geomagnetic trap. Some experimental results of the diagnostics of the parameters of the magnetosphere are given. Advantages and deficiencies of the existing methods of surface diagnostics are discussed, and the directions of further investigations are traced.     

Electrodynamics of the ionosphere

We review various important studies in the field of electrodynamics of the ionosphere. Four topics are presented; (1) conductivity, (2) wind and the dynamo theory, (3) drift and its effect on the ionosphere formation and (4) interaction between wind and electromagnetic field.We point out some important future problems. They are: (1) We need to consider in the dynamo theory of the geomagnetic daily variation the connection of the ionosphere of both hemispheres by lines of force of the geomagnetic field. (2) Non-periodic wind may be important for producing electric field. (3) Drift to cause interchange of ionization contained in tubes of the geomagnetic field lines, and diffusion of ionization in these tubes control dynamic behaviours of the F2 region. (4) Interaction between wind and electric current presents a new problem. (5) The ionosphere and the magnetosphere react to each other.     

Fluctuating magnetic fields in the magnetosphere

The study of ULF waves in space has been in progress for about 12 years. However, because of numerous observational difficulties the properties of the waves in this frequency band (10^-3 to 1 Hz) are poorly known. These difficulties include the nature of satellite orbits, telemetry limitations on magnetometer frequency response and compromises between dynamic range and resolution. Despite the paucity of information, there is increasing recognition of the importance of these measurements in magnetospheric processes. A number of recent theoretical papers point out the roles such waves play in the dynamic behavior of radiation belt particles.At the present time the existing satellite observations of ULF waves suggest that the level of geomagnetic activity controls the types of waves which occur within the magnetosphere. Consequently, we consider separately quiet times, times of magnetospheric substorms and times of magnetic storms. Within each of these categories there are distinctly different wave modes distinguished by their polarization: either transverse or parallel to the ambient field. In addition, these wave phenomena occur in distinct frequency bands. In terms of the standard nomenclature of ground micropulsation studies ULF wave types observed in the magnetosphere include quiet time transverse — Pc 1, Pc 3, Pc 4, Pc 5 quiet time compressional — Pc 1 and Pi 1; substorm compressional Pi 1 and Pi 2; storm transverse — Pc 1; storm compressional Pc 4, 5. The satellite observations are not yet sufficient to determine whether the various bands identified in the ground data are equally appropriate in space.Publication No. 982. Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, Calif. 90024.     

IMF control of the Earth's magnetosphere

We review recent progress in the understanding of the IMF control on the Earth's magnetosphere through the reconnection process. Major points include, (1) the identification of the magnetopause structure under the southward IMF polarity to be the rotational discontinuity and the resulting inference that the reconnection line is formed in the equatorial region, and (2) the confirmation from several observational aspects that under the northward IMF the reconnection takes place in the polar cusp. The point (1) is consistent with the observed correlations of geomagnetic indices with IMF but raises an important theoretical issue, and the point (2) is accompanied by an interesting issue of explaining why the polar cap electron precipitation is more energetic under such IMF conditions. Critical studies have reaffirmed the view that the energy supplied by reconnection is partly transported directly to the ionosphere to drive the DP-2 type current system but at the same time it is partly stored in the magnetic field of the tail to be unloaded 0.5 1 hr later to produce the expansion phase of substorm.Presented at the Fifth International Symposium on Solar-Terrestrial Physics, held at Ottawa, Canada, May 1982.     

Interplanetary field effect on the magnetosphere

This paper reviews recent developments in the understanding of the solar-wind magnetosphere interaction process in which the interplanetary magnetic field has been found to play a key role. Extensive correlative studies between the interplanetary magnetic field and the magnetospheric parameters have in the past few years yielded detailed information on the nature of the interaction process and have made possible to follow the sequence of events that are produced inside the magnetosphere in consequence of the solar-wind energy transfer. We summarize the observed effects of the interplanetary magnetic field, its north-south and east-west components in particular, found in various domains of the magnetosphere — dayside magnetopause, polar cap, magnetotail, auroral zone —, and present an overall picture of the solar-wind magnetosphere interaction process. Dungey's reconnected magnetosphere model is used as a frame of reference and the basic compatibility of the observations with this model is emphasized. In order to avoid overlap with other review articles in the series discussion on the energy conversion process inside the magnetosphere leading to the substorm phenomenon is kept to the minimal.