On the Kinetic Theory of Subauroral Arcs

TL;DR

This paper develops a kinetic theory model to explain subauroral arcs like STEVE and Picket Fence, linking electron distributions and ionospheric feedback to observed phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed kinetic model that accounts for suprathermal electrons and ionospheric feedback, explaining the formation of subauroral arcs and their transient emissions.

Findings

The model reproduces key features of STEVE and Picket Fence.

Ionospheric feedback generates intense small-scale currents and fields.

Subauroral arcs may have transient aurora-like emission phases.

Abstract

We report on numerical and theoretical investigation of subauroral arcs within strong subauroral ion drifts (SAID)--STEVE and Picket Fence. Their explanation requires the specific suprathermal electron distribution and excitation of vibrational and electronic states of neutral species. We show that the ionospheric feedback in the strong SAID with low-density troughs with or without a so-called ionospheric valley generates intense, small-scale field-aligned currents and electric fields below the F2 peak. With these fields, we solved the Boltzmann kinetic equation for the distribution of electrons and power for excitation and ionization of neutral gas (the energy balance). The obtained suprathermal electron population and energy balance are just what is necessary for Picket Fence. Concerning STEVE, the kinetic theory predictions are in a good qualitative agreement with its basic features. Besides, the theory predicts that subauroral arcs might have the transient phase with typical aurora-like emissions that fade out afterwards.