Abstract
A theoretical model for mid‐ and high‐latitude electric fields and currents is constructed using Fourier analysis methods. A two‐dimensional planar ionosphere with an enhanced conductivity auroral belt and field‐aligned currents at the edges is employed. The postulate that the electric field and currents adjust self‐consistently to minimize the global Joule dissipation rate defines a theoretical relation between the primary and secondary field‐aligned currents. This so‐called minimal dissipation configuration is examined using several input field‐aligned current models, and graphical solutions for the electric field and ionospheric current are shown. A detailed discussion and interpretation of the solutions with relation to diverse observations and high‐latitude phenomenology are included.
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