Solitary waves and double layers on auroral field lines

Abstract

Time stationary solutions to the Vlasov‐Poisson equations for ion holes and double layers are examined along with particle simulations that pertain to recent observations of small amplitude e ϕ/ T e ∼1 electric field structures on auroral field lines. Both the time stationary analysis and the simulations suggest that the observed double layers evolve from holes in ion phase space. Multiple small amplitude double layers, as seen in long simulation systems, are observed to propagate past the spacecraft and may account for the acceleration of plasma sheet electrons to produce inverted‐V precipitation.