AMPTE/UKS electron measurements during the lithium releases of September 11 and September 20, 1984

Following releases of lithium ions into the solar wind by the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE)-IRM spacecraft on September 11 and 20, 1984, electron intensities measured at the AMPTE/UKS spacecraft, some 33 km away from the IRM, increased significantly for tens of seconds. The causes of the increases are considered and found to be the result of energization of solar wind electrons. The degree of energy dependence of the energization is established, and possible causative processes are considered. No positive indications of adiabatic compression or acceleration through a potential difference are found. There is, however, evidence for a resonant wave-particle interaction.