Magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling by inertial Alfven waves

Summary form only given, as follows. Alfven waves can support electric fields parallel to the geomagnetic field of up to several mV/m when the effect of electron inertia is significant. This electric field, when integrated over distances of several Earth radii, can create potential differences of several kV. Interactions with the ionosphere can result in a resonant structure which can accelerate electrons to several keV, produce time-varying field-aligned bursts, and electron conic distributions. Characteristic frequencies of these waves are in the range of 1 Hz, which is consistent with several observations of temporal variations in Earthward electron fluxes. A general model of inertial Alfven waves is discussed, emphasizing the effect of including the electron inertial term in the generalized Ohm's law. Standard features of the system are discussed, and results of test particle simulations are presented.