Acceleration of electrons in strong beam-plasma interactions
The effects of strong beam-plasma interactions on the electron population of the upper atmosphere have been investigated in an electron acceleration experiment performed with a sounding rocket. The rocket carried the Several Complex Experiments (SCEX) payload which included an electron accelerator,...
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Published in | Geophysical research letters Vol. 11; no. 12; pp. 1176 - 1179 |
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Main Authors | , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Legacy CDMS
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
01.12.1984
American Geophysical Union |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | The effects of strong beam-plasma interactions on the electron population of the upper atmosphere have been investigated in an electron acceleration experiment performed with a sounding rocket. The rocket carried the Several Complex Experiments (SCEX) payload which included an electron accelerator, three disposable 'throwaway' detectors (TADs), and a stepped electron energy analyzer. The payload was launched in an auroral arc over the rocket at altitudes of 157 and 178 km, respectively. The performance characteristics of the instruments are discussed in detail. The data are combined with the results of laboratory measurements and show that electrons with energies of at least two and probably four times the injection energy of 2 keV were observed during strong beam-plasma interaction events. The interaction events occurred at pitch angles of 54 and 126 degrees. On the basis of the data it is proposed that the superenergization of the electrons is correlated with the length of the beam-plasma interaction region. |
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Bibliography: | ark:/67375/WNG-QKF4C7X9-0 ArticleID:4L6358 istex:EA90CBC95314F82A9CCD11689274AABD10B5FDC9 CDMS Legacy CDMS ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-2 ObjectType-Feature-1 |
ISSN: | 0094-8276 1944-8007 |
DOI: | 10.1029/GL011i012p01176 |