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- Title
The Effects of Field Line Curvature (FLC) Scattering on Ring Current Dynamics and Isotropic Boundary.
- Authors
Yu, Yiqun; Tian, Xingbin; Jordanova, Vania K.
- Abstract
In the ring current dynamics, various loss mechanisms contribute to the ring current decay, including losses to the upper atmosphere through particle precipitation. This study implements the field line curvature (FLC) scattering mechanism in a kinetic ring current model and investigates its role in precipitating ions into the ionosphere during the 17 March 2013 storm. Simulation results indicate that (1) the FLC scattering process exerts on energetic ions on the nightside where the magnetospheric configuration is more stretching. It is more effective on heavy ions (e.g., O+). These ion losses thereafter lead to a faster recovery of the ring current. (2) The FLC‐associated ion precipitation mainly occurs in the outer region (L > 5 for protons and L > 4.5 for oxygen ions) on the nightside. The O+ precipitation takes places in a wider region than protons although its intensity is much lower. Comparisons with POES observations suggest that more proton precipitation is needed in the inner region. This is probably caused by the less stretched configuration in the simulation that prevents more precipitation. It may also imply that other loss process is required in the model such as wave‐particle interactions. (3) The storm time precipitating proton flux of tens of keV due to the FLC scattering sometimes becomes comparable to that of electrons on the nightside, although electrons usually dominate the ionospheric energy deposition from the midnight eastward toward the dayside. (4) The FLC scattering process seems to be capable of explaining the formation of isotropic boundary in the ionosphere during the investigated event. Key Points: Ion precipitation related to FLC scattering is confined outside L = 4–5 in the simulation; additional precipitation is needed in the inner zoneWith associated FLC loss of major ions (H+, O+, He+), the ring current decays faster; FLC scattering can roughly explain the formation of IBThe precipitating energy flux of tens of keV protons due to FLC scattering is comparable to that of electrons at 18 < MLT < 03 and 56° < MLAT < 62°
- Subjects
RING currents; IONOSPHERE; HEAVY ions; MAGNETOSPHERIC physics; PROTONS
- Publication
Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics, 2020, Vol 125, Issue 8, p1
- ISSN
2169-9380
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1029/2020JA027830