Ionospheric feedback effects on the quasi-stationary coupling between LLBL and postnoon/evening discrete auroral arcs

Abstract. We discuss a model for the quasi-stationary coupling between magnetospheric sheared flows in the dusk sector and discrete auroral arcs, previously analyzed for the case of a uniform height-integrated Pedersen conductivity (Σ_P). Here we introduce an ionospheric feedback as the variation of Σ_P with the energy flux of precipitating magnetospheric electrons (ε_em). One key-component of the model is the kinetic description of the interface between the duskward LLBL and the plasma sheet that gives the profile of Φ_m, the magnetospheric electrostatic potential. The velocity shear in the dusk LLBL plays the role of a generator for the auroral circuit closing through Pedersen currents in the auroral ionosphere. The field-aligned current density, j_||, and the energy flux of precipitating electrons are given by analytic functions of the field-aligned potential drop, ΔΦ, derived from standard kinetic models of the adiabatic motion of particles. The ionospheric electrostatic potential, Φ_i (and implicitely ΔΦ) is determined from the current continuity equation in the ionosphere. We obtain values of ΔΦ of the order of kilovolt and of j_|| of the order of tens of μA/m² in thin regions of the order of several kilometers at 200 km altitude. The spatial scale is significantly smaller and the peak values of ΔΦ, j_|| and ε_em are higher than in the case of a uniform Σ_P. Effects on the postnoon/evening auroral arc electrodynamics due to variations of dusk LLBL and solar wind dynamic and kinetic pressure are discussed. In thin regions (of the order of kilometer) embedding the maximum of ΔΦ we evidence a non-linear regime of the current-voltage relationship. The model predicts also that visible arcs form when the velocity shear in LLBL is above a threshold value depending on the generator and ionospheric plasma properties. Brighter arcs are obtained for increased velocity shear in the LLBL; their spatial scale remains virtually unmodified. The field-aligned potential drop tends to decrease with increasing LLBL density. For higher values of the LLBL electron temperature the model gives negative field-aligned potential drops in regions adjacent to upward field-aligned currents.