Theory and Simulation of Ionosphere-Magnetosphere Coupling Dynamics

该项目涉及对等离子体波现象的研究，等离子体波现象在顶侧电离层中离子和电子的赋能中起着重要作用。 一种新的机制，使波能从大尺度波转移到小尺度波是特别感兴趣的。 小尺度波已被观察到与升高的离子温度和强烈的场对准的电子通量。 最近的Freja卫星观测以及初步的理论结果表明，阿尔芬波能量转移到离子声波和加热离子与平行电子加速之间的因果关系。 该项目的主要目标将是确定和表征能量从波到粒子转移的基本机制。 该研究包括分析、数值模拟和与航天器数据的比较，以确定这些现象的物理特征及其地球物理相关性。

This project involves an investigation of plasma wave phenomena which play an important role in the nergization of ions and electrons in the topside ionosphere. A new mechanism that enables the transfer of wave energy from large-scale waves to small-scale waves is of particular interest. The small-scale waves have been observed to be associated with elevated ion temperatures and intense field-aligned electron fluxes. The recent Freja satellite observations together with preliminary theoretical results indicate a causal relationship between the transfer of Alfven wave energy to ion acoustic waves and the heating of ions together with parallel electron acceleration. The primary goal of this project will be to identify and characterize the underlying mechanisms of energy transfer from waves to particles. The study involves a combination of analysis, numerical simulation and comparison to spacecraft data to ascertain physical characteristics of the phenomena as well as their geophysical relevance.