Ion distribution functions in cylindrically symmetric electric fields in the auroral ionosphere: the collision-free case in a uniformly charged configuration

TL;DR

This paper investigates how ion distribution functions respond to cylindrically symmetric electric fields in the auroral ionosphere, focusing on collision-free conditions and uniform charge configurations, to better understand filamentary auroral structures.

Contribution

It introduces a model analyzing ion response and transport in cylindrically symmetric electric fields, a novel approach for auroral ionospheric studies.

Findings

Ion distribution functions are significantly affected by cylindrical electric fields.

Transport properties depend on the radial electric field gradient.

Results provide insights into filament formation in auroras.

Abstract

The aurora often breaks down into elongated filaments that are aligned with the geomagnetic field. It is natural to infer from this that when important structures are found in the electrostatic fields they, too, will follow a cylindrical geometry. With ionospheric applications in mind, we have therefore studied the response of the ion distribution function and its transport properties to the sudden introduction of an electric field which increases linearly 15 with radial distance.