Core Plasma Evolution on L=4-7 Flux Tubes

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9301024 Horwitz A new time dependent, semi-kinetic approach for treating core or thermal plasma evolution on L = 4 - 7 flux tubes, has been recently developed. This approach is self-consistent, allows direct calculation of the ion distribution functions, incorporates such large-scale ion kinetic effects as velocity dispersion, stream- stream interpenetration, and small-angle Coulomb collisions, and flexibly permits incorporation of plasma microprocesses such as wave-particle interactions. The L = 4 - 7 region is a basic starting point for understanding many aspects of magnetosphere- ionosphere coupling. The proposed study is on the self-consistent development and effects on the evolving core plasma of: large-scale electrostatic potential distributions, hot plasma driven heating, ionosphere/transition region source, and multi-ion dynamics. Current model enhancements planned are (1) a generalized fluid treatment with a quasi-kinetic treatment of low-density suprathermal populations; (2) iclude a realistic ionospheric and collisional-collisionless transition region model; and (3) incorporate hot (ring current) plasma distributions and self- consistent calculation of their effects on the electrostatic potential, and energy and pitch angle diffusion of inflowing ionospheric plasma through Coulomb collisions and wave-particle interactions. Dynamics Explorer-1 data will be compared on L = 4.6 shells with our model predictions. ***