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The Relationship Between EMIC Wave Properties and Proton Distributions Based on Van Allen Probes Observations
Author(s) -
Yue Chao,
Jun ChaeWoo,
Bortnik Jacob,
An Xin,
Ma Qianli,
Reeves Geoffrey D.,
Spence Harlan E.,
Gerrard Andrew J.,
Gkioulidou Matina,
Mitchell Donald G.,
Kletzing Craig A.
Publication year - 2019
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 - 10.1029/2019gl082633
Subject(s) - physics , van allen probes , magnetosphere , proton , computational physics , atomic physics , anisotropy , polarization (electrochemistry) , instability , geophysics , van allen radiation belt , plasma , nuclear physics , optics , quantum mechanics , chemistry
Abstract Plasma kinetic theory predicts that sufficiently anisotropic proton distribution will excite electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves, which in turn relax the proton distribution to a marginally stable state creating an upper bound on the relaxed proton anisotropy. Here, using EMIC wave observations and coincident plasma measurements made by Van Allen Probes in the inner magnetosphere, we show that the proton distributions are well constrained by this instability to a marginally stable state. Near the threshold, the probability of EMIC wave occurrence is highest, having left‐handed polarization and observed near the magnetic equator with relatively small wave normal angles, indicating that these waves are locally generated. In addition, EMIC waves are distributed in two magnetic local time regions with different intensity. Compared with helium band waves, hydrogen band waves behave similarly except that they are often observed in low‐density regions. These results reveal several important features regarding EMIC waves excitation and propagation.