Tj. Hallinan et al., Relation between optical emissions, particles, electric fields, and Alfvenwaves in a multiple rayed arc, J GEO R-S P, 106(A8), 2001, pp. 15445-15454
Velocities of rays in auroral arcs were used to infer the perpendicular ele
ctric fields above the acceleration region. Using rocket measurements of el
ectron energy as a proxy for the high-altitude potential, the high-altitude
perpendicular electric fields were calculated and found to be in good agre
ement with those derived from the ray motions. Additionally, a 0.6 Hz oscil
lating electric field at high altitude was postulated on the basis of the p
assing rays. Such a field was also calculated from the electron energy meas
urements and was found to be closely related to an Alfven wave measured on
the payload following a delay of 0.8 s. The measured electron energy flux a
greed well with the auroral luminosity down to scale sizes of about 10 km.
The combination of ground-based imaging acid the measured energy flux also
allowed a determination of the lower border altitude of the arcs. They were
found to be somewhat higher (130 km) than expected on the basis of the ele
ctron energy. A tall rayed are with a lower border height of 170 km was ass
ociated with a burst of suprathermal electrons on the poleward edge of the
aurora.