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Parallel electric fields in dispersive shear Alfvén waves in the dipolar magnetosphere
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- Author(s) / Creator(s)
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Existing theories do not explain large parallel electric fields that are associated with keV electron precipitation in auroral arcs. The MHD electron response results in an electrical conductivity in the low altitude magnetosphere that is two orders of magnitude greater than is required. We suggest a new mechanism for forming parallel electric fields based on a nonlocal electron response to standing shear Alfvén waves on dipole magnetic fields. Electron trapping is the primary cause of a significant reduction in the collisionless electron conductivity and consequent enhancement of parallel electric fields in the 1–4 mHz frequency range.
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- Date created
- 1999
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- Subjects / Keywords
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- Type of Item
- Article (Published)
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- License
- © 2006 American Geophysical Union. This version of this article is open access and can be downloaded and shared. The original author(s) and source must be cited.