Downward current electron beams observed at the dipolarization front

Abstract

The strong field-aligned pitch angle distribution of electrons is observed right at the dipolarization front (DF) before the arriving of a high speed flow when the four Cluster satellites are traveling in the magnetotail around 15 RE on July 22, 2001. The increased electron fluxes only last for a short time period at the DF, corresponding to just a few bouncing periods for 1 keV electrons. The field-aligned current contributed by these electrons agrees well with that calculated by the magnetic field observations by four satellites at the front. These electron streams are found in the energy range of 0. 2-2 keV, peak around 1 keV. It is suggested that these downward current electrons may be originated near the aurora region by some kinds of potential structure. The occurrence of these electrons implies that the formation of the dipolarization front and the associated field-aligned current play an important role in the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. © 2012 The Author(s).