Limits on the efficacy of wave‐particle interaction on the energization and transport of atomic and molecular heavy ionospheric ions

Their presence not only indicates that they obtain sufficient energy through effective energization mechanisms, predominantly during the geomagnetically active times, but also provides clues regarding the connection between the ionosphere and the lower thermosphere.

It is, however, unknown to date which physical processes are responsible for the transport and energization of molecular ions, as well as their relative contributions to the plasma surrounding the near‐Earth region. In this study, we employ the Seven Ion Polar Wind Outflow Model (7iPWOM) and examine the properties of molecular , NO + , and upflows and outflows in response to wave activity. The 7iPWOM is a hybrid polar wind model which solves the transport of e − , H + , He + , N + , O + , , NO + , and , using a combination of hydrodynamics and kinetic particle‐in‐cell (PIC) approaches.