Behaviour of ion velocity distributions for a simple collision model

摘要: For application to studies of the high-latitude ionosphere, ion velocity distributions for a weaidy-ionized plasma subjected crossed electric and magnetic fields have been calculated. An exact solution Boltzmann's equation has obtained by replacing Boltzmann collision integral with simple relaxation model. At altitudes above about 150 km, where frequency is much less than cyclotron frequency, distribution takes shape torus in space greater 40 mV m/sup -1/. This persist; 1 2 hr after field. frequencies are approximately equal (about 120 km), shaped like bean large field strengths. bean-shaped persists throughout lifetime ionospheric fields. These highly non-Maxwellian may an appreciable effect on interpretation temperature measurements. (auth)