A Monte Carlo simulation of the H+ polar wind: Effect of velocity distributions with Kappa suprathermal tails

Citation
Ia. Barghouthi et al., A Monte Carlo simulation of the H+ polar wind: Effect of velocity distributions with Kappa suprathermal tails, ASTRO SP SC, 277(3), 2001, pp. 427-436
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Space Sciences
Journal title
ASTROPHYSICS AND SPACE SCIENCE
ISSN journal
0004640X → ACNP
Volume
277
Issue
3
Year of publication
2001
Pages
427 - 436
Database
ISI
SICI code
0004-640X(2001)277:3<427:AMCSOT>2.0.ZU;2-D
Abstract
A Monte Carlo simulation is used to study the effects of Kappa H+ distribut ions in the polar wind. We consider the gravity, the polarization electric field, the divergence of geomagnetic field lines and Coulomb collisions of H+ in a background of O+ ions. The aim is to study the consequences of a ve locity distribution function with an enhanced high energy tail instead of a Maxwellian distribution as assumed in earlier Monte Carlo simulations. The transformation of the velocity distribution function of H+ ions as a funct ion of the altitude is presented. Effects resulting from the acceleration o f the particles by the polarization electric field and from Coulomb collisi ons depend on the energy of the particles. Coulomb collisions mainly affect low energy particles while high energy particles are more efficiently acce lerated by the upward directed ambipolar electric field. The combination of both effects results in double-hump velocity distribution functions develo ping in the transition region. We study consequences of suprathermal tails distributions on the shape of the double-hump and on the moments of the vel ocity distribution function.