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Transport of Superthermal Electrons: General Analysis

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Kinetic Theory of the Inner Magnetospheric Plasma

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library ((ASSL,volume 372))

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Abstract

Superthermal electrons are one of the major energy players in the inner magnetosphere, and are responsible for the formation of self-consistent electric potentials in some space plasma regions. Numerous processes are involved in the determination of their distribution function, and only a kinetic approach provides the proper tool to treat this component of the inner magnetosphere. Because of the relative complexity of the kinetic equation solution, analytical investigations of some simplified kinetic problems are very useful because they help us gain physical insight into how the system responds to various physical processes and external boundary conditions. Solutions to these simplified problems also provide us a convenient method to test the validity of complicated numerical models where superthermal electrons are involved.

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  1. Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Heliophysics Science Div. (HSD), NASA, 20771, Greenbelt, Maryland, 673, USA

    Dr. George V. Khazanov

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  1. Dr. George V. Khazanov
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Khazanov, G.V. (2011). Transport of Superthermal Electrons: General Analysis. In: Kinetic Theory of the Inner Magnetospheric Plasma. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 372. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6797-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6797-8_5

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