Electromagnetic interaction between Jupiter's ionosphere and the Io plasma torus

Abstract

Abstract. The electromagnetic interaction between Jupiter and Io has been studied extensively since the discovery of Io-controlled decametric radio emissions (DAMs). A variety of mechanisms for electromagnetic disturbances have been considered including a unipolar inductor, the excitation of large-amplitude Alfvén waves, the generation of electrostatic electric fields parallel to the ambient magnetic field, and etc. Recently, three auroral acceleration regions categorized by terrestrial physicists have been applied to the Jupiter-Io coupling system: the Alfvénic acceleration region is associated with bright emissions at Io's magnetic footprint, whereas the quasi-static system of anti-planetward and planetward currents set up at the inner and outer edges of the torus in the downstream region of Io's wake. This review paper summarizes the current understanding of the coupling mechanisms between Jupiter's ionosphere and the Io plasma torus, as well as the electron acceleration mechanism necessary to excite Io-associated emissions.