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Pc 1 waves and ionospheric Alfvén resonator: Generation or filtration?
Author(s) -
Demekhov A. G.,
Trakhtengerts V. Yu.,
Bösinger T.
Publication year - 2000
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 - 10.1029/2000gl000126
Subject(s) - ionosphere , physics , reflection (computer programming) , magnetosphere , ionospheric heater , geophysics , computational physics , resonator , electric field , ionospheric reflection , magnetic field , optics , quantum mechanics , computer science , programming language
We analyze vertical profiles of Pc 1 wave fields produced in the ionosphere by Alfvén waves of magnetospheric origin. We show that the ratio of the electric and magnetic fields varies strongly with frequency due to the influence of the ionospheric Alfvén resonator. The difference is most remarkable for frequencies corresponding to either maximum or minimum ionospheric reflection. Therefore, low‐orbiting satellites detecting Pc 1 emissions in the ionosphere (at the same field line as their magnetospheric source) can provide valuable information regarding the question whether these waves are generated at conditions of maximum or minimum ionospheric reflection and whether this reflection influences significantly their generation in the magnetosphere. Comparison of our theoretical result with recent statistical analysis of Pc 1 pearls recorded onboard DE 2 suggests that these waves correspond to the maximum reflection. This implies that ionospheric reflection played a significant role in formation of these emissions.