Precipitating electron fluxes formed by a magnetic field aligned potential difference

Abstract

A model is developed in which a magnetic field aligned potential difference is assumed to accelerate electrons downward into the atmosphere. It is pointed out that the upgoing backscattered electrons produced by this electron beam may process insufficient kinetic energy to overcome the hypothetical potential difference. These electrons will be reflected downward to appear as members of a precipitating electron population. A numerical model was constructed in order to describe the total precipitating electron flux in terms of a primary accelerated beam and backscatter from the atmosphere. It is pointed out that many features that appear in the model beam are observed in the auroral electron beam as well. An example of an auroral beam, measured by Frank and Ackerson (1971), is compared favorably with a model electron beam formed by a parallel potential.