Auroral Plasma Physics

1. Introduction.- 1.1 Visible Aurorae.- 1.2 Ionospheric Framework.- 1.3 Magnetospheric Framework.- 1.4 Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling.- 1.5 Large Scale Magnetospheric Flows and Dynamics.- 1.6 An Overview of the Book.- 2. Remote Sensing of Auroral Arcs.- 2.1 Quiet Auroral Arc.- 2.2 Diffuse and Pulsating Aurora.- 2.3 Proper Motion of Auroral Arcs.- 2.4 Physical Characteristics.- 2.5 Auroral Morphology.- 2.6 Distortions in Auroral Arcs.- 2.7 Black Aurora.- 3. Theoretical Building Blocks.- 3.1 The Conducting Ionosphere.- 3.1.1 Ionospheric Conductivity.- 3.1.2 Conductivity from Electron Precipitation.- 3.2 Magnetospheric Current Sources.- 3.2.1 Generalized Ohm's Law.- 3.2.2 Field-Aligned Current Generation.- 3.2.3 Energy Release, Transport and Conversion.- 3.2.4 Magnetospheric Driving of the Ionosphere.- 3.3 Parallel Electric Fields.- 3.3.1 Current-Voltage Relation in the Upward j? Regions.- 3.3.2 Current-Voltage Relation in the Downward j? Regions.- 3.3.3 The Nature of E?.- 3.3.4 Static Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling.- 3.4 Dynamic Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling.- 3.4.1 Ideal MHD Alfven Waves.- 3.4.2 Reflection of Alfven Waves.- 3.4.3 Two-Fluid Shear-Alfven Waves.- 3.5 Wave-Particle Interactions.- 3.5.1 Anomalous Resistivity.- 3.5.2 Transverse Ion Heating.- 3.5.3 Pitch Angle Diffusion.- 3.5.4 Phase-Space Holes.- 4. In Situ Measurements in the Auroral Plasma.- 4.1 Upward Current Region Processes.- 4.1.1 Electron Acceleration.- 4.1.2 Ion Beams and the Density Cavity.- 4.1.3 Electric Field Signature and Structure.- 4.1.4 Limitations of the Quasistatic Arc Model.- 4.2 Downward Current Region Processes.- 4.2.1 Upgoing Electrons.- 4.2.2 Ion Conics and Ion Precipitation.- 4.2.3 Electric Fields.- 4.2.4 Current-Voltage Relations.- 4.2.5 Limitations of a Quasistatic Model.- 4.3 Waves and Radiation.- 4.3.1 Beam Modification: AKR, VLF, BBELF, ESW.- 4.3.2 Ion Effects: EMIC, EIC, IAW, ELF.- 4.3.3 Diagnostic Wave Signatures.- 4.4 Time-Dependent Alfvenic Processes.- 4.4.1 Wave Impedance.- 4.4.2 Dispersive Travelling Alfven Waves.- 4.4.3 Standing Alfven Waves.- 4.5 Specific Regions.- 4.5.1 Nightside Polar Cap Boundary.- 4.5.2 Polar Cusp.- 4.5.3 Other Auroral Dispersion Signatures.- 4.5.4 Diffuse Aurora.- 4.5.5 Subauroral Ion Drifts.- 5. Statistics and Mapping of Auroral Features.- 5.1 Statistical and Empirical Studies of Auroral Distributions.- 5.1.1 Ionospheric Observations and Empirical Models.- 5.1.2 Auroral Luminosity.- 5.1.3 Auroral In Situ Observations.- 5.2 Mapping Auroral Features to the Magnetosphere.- 5.2.1 Topological Magnetic Mapping.- 5.2.2 Assimilative Mapping and Synoptic Maps.- 5.2.3 Morphological Mapping.- 5.2.4 Mapping Complications.- 6. ELECTRODYNAMICS OF AURORAL FORMS.- 6.1 Eveningside Discrete Arcs.- 6.1.1 The Arc as Part of a Quasi-Static Current Circuit.- 6.1.2 Relation to the High Altitude Electric Field.- 6.1.3 A Synoptic Case Study of an Evening Arc.- 6.2 Westward Traveling Surge.- 6.2.1 Three-Dimensional Ionospheric Current System.- 6.2.2 Associated Particle Precipitation.- 6.3 Omega Bands.- 6.3.1 Three-Dimensional Ionospheric Current System.- 6.3.2 Particle Precipitation.- 6.3.3 Conjugate Magnetospheric Observations.- 6.4 Auroral Streamers.- 6.4.1 Ground Magnetic Signatures.- 6.4.2 Current Systems.- 6.4.3 Role of Bursty Bulk Flows.- 6.5 Polar Cap Aurora.- 6.5.1 Polar Auroral Arc.- 6.5.2 IMF Dependence.- 6.5.3 Plasma Sources.- 6.5.4 Global Electrodynamics.- 7. Theoretical Models.- 7.1 Static E? Models.- 7.1.1 Numerical Simulations.- 7.1.2 Theory and Data.- 7.2 Boundary Layer Coupling to the Ionosphere.- 7.3 Current and Voltage Generators.- 7.3.1 Pure Current or Voltage Generators.- 7.3.2 Generator Conductivity Models.- 7.3.3 Tau Generator Model.- 7.3.4 Dynamic Generator Models.- 7.4 Resonant Alfven Waves.- 7.4.1 Resonant Mode Coupling.- 7.4.2 Field Line Resonances.- 7.4.3 Ionospheric Alfven Resonator.- 7.5 Propagating Arc Models.- 7.5.1 Ionospheric Feedback Models.- 7.5.2 Propagating Arcs and Magnetic Energy.- 7.5.3 Stationary Alfven Waves.- 7.6 Transient Acceleration.- 7.7.1 Large-Scale Features and Magnetospheric Sources.- 7.7.2 The Substorm Current Wedge.- 7.7.3 Formation of the Auroral Bulge.- 7.7.4 Energy Flow and Conversion.- 7.7.5 Stress Transmission.- 7.7.5 Small-Scale Source Regions.- 7.8 Essential Elements of an Integrated Theory.- 7.8.1 Outline.- 7.8.2 Energy Flow.- 7.8.3 Current Filamentation.- 7.8.4 Feedback on Generator.- 7.8.5 Global Impact of the Aurora.- 8 DYNAMIC COUPLING TO THE MAGNETOSPHERE.- 8.1 Magnetosphere as an Auroral Precipitation Source.- 8.2 Magnetospheric Energy Circulation.- 8.2.1 Pseudobreakups.- 8.2.2 Magnetospheric Substorms.- 8.2.3 Magnetic Storms.- 8.2.4 Steady Magnetospheric Convection.- 8.2.5 Magnetospheric Energy Budget.- 8.3 Magnetospheric Control.- 8.3.1 Impulsive Plasma Acceleration.- 8.3.2 Pulsed Reconnection.- 8.3.3 Sporadic Narrow Plasma Jets.- 8.3.4 BBF Signatures in the Aurora.- 8.4 Ionospheric Control.- 8.4.1 Ionospheric Effects on the Magnetosphere.- 8.4.2 Pseudobreakups and Ionospheric State.- 8.4.3 Effects of the Neutral Wind.- 8.5 Open Issues.- 9. The Aurora as a Universal Phenomenon.- 9.1 Aurora on Other Planets.- 9.1.1 Solar System Planets.- 9.1.2 Aurora on Exoplanets.- 9.2 Auroral Acceleration in Astrophysical Objects.- 9.2.1 A Condensed Auroral Theory.- 9.2.2 Application to Solar Flares.- 9.2.3 Cataclysmic Variables.- 9.2.4 Accreting Neutron Stars.- References.- Author Addresses.