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Propagation and linear mode conversion of magnetosonic and electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves in the radiation belts
Author(s) -
Horne Richard B.,
Miyoshi Yoshizumi
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2016gl070216
Subject(s) - physics , computational physics , van allen probes , wave propagation , van allen radiation belt , electromagnetic radiation , cyclotron , mechanical wave , geophysics , longitudinal wave , optics , electron , magnetosphere , plasma , nuclear physics
Magnetosonic waves and electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are important for electron acceleration and loss from the radiation belts. It is generally understood that these waves are generated by unstable ion distributions that form during geomagnetically disturbed times. Here we show that magnetosonic waves could be a source of EMIC waves as a result of propagation and a process of linear mode conversion. The converse is also possible. We present ray tracing to show how magnetosonic (EMIC) waves launched with large (small) wave normal angles can reach a location where the wave normal angle is zero and the wave frequency equals the so‐called crossover frequency whereupon energy can be converted from one mode to another without attenuation. While EMIC waves could be a source of magnetosonic waves below the crossover frequency, magnetosonic waves could be a source of hydrogen band waves but not helium band waves.