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VLF ray trajectories in a latitude‐dependent model of the magnetosphere
Author(s) -
Walter F.,
Scarabucci R. R.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1029/rs009i001p00007
Subject(s) - plasmasphere , magnetosphere , whistler , physics , geophysics , ion , ionosphere , electron , van allen radiation belt , ionization , latitude , polar , magnetic field , computational physics , astrophysics , astronomy , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics
Ray paths of VLF waves that propagate inside the magnetosphere are studied. The model of the magnetosphere is composed of electrons and ions, and includes latitudinal gradients of composition; the propagation is treated on the magnetic meridian. It is found that the presence of ions together with the latitudinal gradients generate ray paths with very peculiar features. The paths of the rays are combinations of trajectories influenced by the gradients of composition, magnetic reflections (ion effect), and reflections at the steep gradients of the plasmapause. The related whistler study provides an alternative explanation of several properties of whistler trains, without the use of field‐aligned ducts of enhanced ionization.