Electron acceleration due to Cherenkov damping of Alfven waves

It is shown by the quasilinear Fokker-Planck approach that the kinetic shear Alfven wave (KSAW), present in the magnetosphere, can, via Cherenkov damping, accelerate electrons, feed the magnetosphere with magnetic energy, and generate noninductive DC currents aligned with the ambient magnetic field. As a specific application, we consider plasmapause electrons, determine the current level and electron acceleration rate generate by the KSAW. Also, the acceleration length has been obtained. The generated current has values compatible with the Birkeland current level, and the energy flux necessary to generate such a current fits well with the value of the KSAW energy flux observed in the magnetosphere.