Twelve electron-acceleration mechanisms and 10 generator mechanisms for auroral arcs are examined, and a characteristic auroral-arc thickness is worked out for each mechanism except one. The arc thicknesses are then mapped down to the ionosphere along the terrestrial magnetic-field lines; near the Earth, a dipole magnetic-field model is used, and farther from the Earth, the mapping includes the effects of magnetic-field-line draping. The 21 theoretical models all predict auroral-arc thicknesses that are at least an order of magnitude wider than the optically observed arcs. As an alternative explanation of the observed narrow auroral arcs, the acceleration of ionospheric electrons to produce airglow in electrical discharge mechanisms appears improbable. Also unsuccessfully explored is the possibility that the observed narrow auroral arcs are caused by interference effects when Alfven waves reflect off the ionosphere. Suggestions are made for future ground-based auroral-arc measurements.

Auroral arc thicknesses as predicted by various theories

In this paper we report the development of the single frequency dye laser as a plasma diagnostic for measuring ion velocity distributions with a resolution limited only by the natural linewidth of the laser excited resonance transition. For the 6S1/2–6P1/2 transition in Ba+ this corresponds to a velocity uncertainty of 103 cm/s. Velocity selection is performed by the laser as it scans the Doppler broadened plasma absorption line, in contrast with the usual method of scanning an emission line with a high‐resolution spectrometer. Both sensitivity and resolution are improved by 2 orders of magnitude, allowing nonperturbing measurements to be made at densities below 107 cm−3. In addition to a description of the technique, sample measurements of time‐resolved wave induced modifications of ion velocity distributions are shown.

Single frequency scanning laser as a plasma diagnostic

Sheared flows in near-Earth space plasmas, both magnetic-field-aligned and cross-field, contribute to a rich array of phenomena which can be simulated in the laboratory. This has led to improved knowledge of the basic processes involving velocity shear operative in space, where it is not possible to conduct detailed and repeatable experiments with control over background parameters. Depending upon the flow characteristics, shear can contribute to either growth or damping of various plasma modes or, if sufficiently strong, can itself drive instabilities. These instabilities can have significant consequences in redefining the plasma equilibrium and can lead to energization and transport. A number of laboratory experiments have been performed to investigate the detailed physics associated with inhomogeneous space plasma flows. In this work, a review of in situ observations of processes associated with sheared flows and details of complementary laboratory experimental investigations is presented.

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1029/1998JA900098

Inhomogeneous plasma flows: A review of in situ observations and laboratory experiments

Recent sounding rocket experiments, such as SCIFER, AMICIST, and ARCS-4, and satellite data from FAST, Freja, DE-2, and HILAT, provide compelling evidence of a correlation between small-scale spatial plasma inhomogeneities, broadband low-frequency waves, and transversely heated ions. These naturally arising, localized inhomogeneities can lead to sheared cross-magnetic-field plasma flows, a situation that has been shown to have potential for instability growth. Experiments performed in the Naval Research Laboratory's Space Physics Simulation Chamber demonstrate that broadband waves in the ion-cyclotron frequency range can be driven solely by a transverse, localized electric field, without the dissipation of a field-aligned current. Significant perpendicular ion energization resulting from these waves has been measured. Detailed comparisons with both theoretical predictions and space observations of electrostatic waves found in the presence of sheared cross-magnetic-field plasma flow are made.

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1029/98JA00659

Velocity‐shear‐driven ion‐cyclotron waves and associated transverse ion heating

Theoretical, numerical, and experimental investigations of the electrostatic ion-cyclotron instability (EICI) are critically reviewed. The discussion of theory focuses mainly on the linear theories, with particular attention to those that have been used in explaining experimental observations, but a short account of various nonlinear theories is also given. Numerical simulation results are surveyed. Experimental investigations in Q-machine plasmas and their interpretation in terms of various theories are then examined. >

On the current-driven electrostatic ion-cyclotron instability: a review

Oscillations near the ion cyclotron frequency have been excited in thermal cesium and potassium plasmas by drawing current in a filament along the axis of the plasma column. The oscillations appear to be electrostatic waves propagating radially from the filament. The waves are present if the electron drift velocity exceeds about 10 times the ion thermal velocity, in agreement with the prediction of M. N. Rosenbluth. The measured phase velocity is also in agreement with the phase velocity calculated from the fluid equations.

R. W. Motley

Papers

Excitation of Electrostatic Plasma Oscillations near the Ion Cyclotron Frequency