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Rapid Frequency Variations Within Intense Chorus Wave Packets
Author(s) -
Zhang X.J.,
Mourenas D.,
Artemyev A. V.,
Angelopoulos V.,
Kurth W. S.,
Kletzing C. A.,
Hospodarsky G. B.
Publication year - 2020
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 - 10.1029/2020gl088853
Subject(s) - wave packet , physics , chorus , van allen probes , superposition principle , amplitude , computational physics , van allen radiation belt , acceleration , nonlinear system , wave power , power (physics) , optics , classical mechanics , quantum mechanics , magnetosphere , art , plasma , literature
Abstract Whistler mode chorus waves are responsible for electron acceleration in Earth's radiation belts. It is unclear, however, whether the observed acceleration is still well described by quasi‐linear theory, or if this acceleration is due to intense waves that require nonlinear treatment. Here, we perform a comprehensive statistical analysis of intense lower‐band chorus wave packets to investigate the relationships between wave frequency variations, packet length, and wave amplitude, and their temporal variability. We find that 15% of the wave power is carried by long packets, with low frequency sweep rates (linear trend in time) that agree with the nonlinear theory of chorus wave growth. Eighty‐five percent of the wave power, however, comes from short packets with large frequency variations around the linear trend. The kappa‐like probability distribution of these variations is consistent with random superposition of different waves that could result in a destruction of nonlinear resonant interaction.