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Experimental determination of the dispersion relation of magnetosonic waves
Author(s) -
Walker S. N.,
Balikhin M. A.,
Shklyar D. R.,
Yearby K. H.,
Canu P.,
Carr C. M.,
Dandouras I.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9402
pISSN - 2169-9380
DOI - 10.1002/2015ja021746
Subject(s) - physics , dispersion relation , magnetosphere , van allen radiation belt , dispersion (optics) , computational physics , electron , equator , geophysics , wave–particle duality , wave propagation , plasma , optics , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics , latitude , astronomy
Magnetosonic waves are commonly observed in the vicinity of the terrestrial magnetic equator. It has been proposed that within this region they may interact with radiation belt electrons, accelerating some to high energies. These wave‐particle interactions depend upon the characteristic properties of the wave mode. Hence, determination of the wave properties is a fundamental part of understanding these interaction processes. Using data collected during the Cluster Inner Magnetosphere Campaign, this paper identifies an occurrence of magnetosonic waves, discusses their generation and propagation properties from a theoretical perspective, and utilizes multispacecraft measurements to experimentally determine their dispersion relation. Their experimental dispersion is found to be in accordance with that based on cold plasma theory.