title: Multiscale coherent structures and broadband waves due to parallel inhomogeneous flows
abstract: Linear theory analysis and particle-in-cell simulations show that a spatial transverse gradient in the ion drift parallel to the magnetic field, dV(di)/dx</=Omega(i), where Omega(i) is the ion cyclotron frequency, can generate a broadband multimode spectrum extending from omega<<Omega(i) to omega>>Omega(i). Nonlinearly, these waves lead to multiscale spatially coherent structures, substantial cross-field transport, ion energization, and phase-space diffusion. Large spikes are formed in the parallel electric field time series. These signatures are similar to the Fast Auroral Snapshot satellite observations in the upward current region.
authors.affiliation: Science Applications International Corporation, McLean, Virginia.
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Gavrishchaka
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Ganguli
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Scales
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Slinker
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chaston
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: McFadden
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Ergun
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Carlson