Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 85, Apr. 1, 1980, p. 1713-1721.
The paper considers electrostatic wave growth while examining secondary peaks in a measured auroral electron distribution function. These peaks are frequently measured in energetic electron distribution functions during rocket flights over bright auroras, and this analysis determines if the observed secondary peaks are large enough to drive electrostatic instabilities. Two features of the distribution function are examined including a second parallel peak which produces positive growth rates for electrostatic whistler and ion cyclotron waves, and a perpendicular peak which produces much larger growth rates for electrostatic electron cyclotron and upper hybrid waves when these two modes are interacting.
Major Subject Terms: AURORAL ARCS, ELECTRON DISTRIBUTION, ELECTROSTATIC WAVES, IONOSPHERIC SOUNDING, ROCKET SOUNDING
Minor Subject Terms: DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS, GROUP VELOCITY, ION CYCLOTRON RADIATION, ROCKET FLIGHT, WHISTLERS
CASI Accession Number: A8032700 ISSN