In this paper we discuss the dynamics of an ion interacting with large-amplitude Alfven waves. The objective of the present analysis is to attain an in-depth understanding of the ion-pickup process which has been extensively studied in the Literature by means of both quasilinear theory and numerical simulations. In general, results from self-consistent simulations provide a more complete picture of the ion pickup process, but details of the pickup process are not easily comprehended on the basis of these results. For this reason, the present study is carried out in which a test particle approach is used. It is found that for moderately large-amplitude Alfven waves, an approximate analytical solution for the ion equation of motion can be obtained. This solution clarifies a number of basic issues such as (1) whether the cyclotron resonance is a necessary condition for the pickup to occur, (2) what is the role of initial ion phase space position on subsequent pitch angle scattering, and (3) how the wave amplitude affects the maximum velocity that an ion can gain along the direction of the ambient magnetic field during the pickup process. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.
