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The First Observation of N + Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves
Author(s) -
Bashir M. Fraz,
Ilie Raluca
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9402
pISSN - 2169-9380
DOI - 10.1029/2020ja028716
Subject(s) - magnetosphere , physics , cyclotron , van allen radiation belt , van allen probes , ion , ring current , particle acceleration , electron , atomic physics , ionosphere , electromagnetic radiation , computational physics , geophysics , plasma , nuclear physics , optics , quantum mechanics
Abstract Observations from past space missions report on the significant abundance of N + , in addition to those of O + , outflowing from the terrestrial ionosphere and populating the near‐Earth region. However, instruments on board current space missions lack the mass resolution to distinguish between the two, and often the role of N + in regulating the magnetosphere dynamics, is lumped together with that of O + ions. For instance, our understanding regarding the role of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves in controlling the loss and acceleration of radiation belt electrons and ring current ions has been based on the contribution of He + and O + ions only. We report the first observations by Van Allen Probes of linearly polarized N + EMIC waves, which confirm the presence of N + in the terrestrial magnetosphere, and open up new avenues to particle energization, loss, and transport mechanisms, based on the altered magnetospheric plasma composition.