Efficiency of electron acceleration in the Earth’s magnetosphere by whistler mode waves

The efficiency of energetic electron cyclotron acceleration in the Earth’s magnetosphere in different regimes of electron resonant interaction with parallel propagating whistler mode waves of variable frequency, specifically, with chorus ELF-VLF emissions, is considered. The regime of stochastic acceleration, typical of the interaction between particles and noise-like emissions, and particle acceleration in the regime of nonlinear trapping by a quasimonochromatic wave field are discussed. The specific feature of the latter regime consists in its non-diffuse character, i.e., the definite sign of the energy variation depending on the frequency variation in the wave packet. The trapped electron energy becomes higher if frequency increases within an element, which is typical of chorus emissions. For the parameters typical of chorus emissions (the amplitude of a wave magnetic field B _～ = 10² nT, the initial frequency ω ～ 0.3ω _H , and the frequency variation &;Dω ～ 0.15ω _H , where ω _H is the electron gyrofrequency), the energy increase during one act of such an interaction at L = 4?5 exceeds the rms variation in the energy of untrapped electron (during stochastic acceleration) by one-two orders of magnitude. The estimates indicate that a considerable fraction (several tens of percent) of the chorus element energy can be absorbed by electrons accelerated in the trapping regime during a single hop.     

Resonant enhancement of relativistic electron fluxes during geomagnetically active periods

The strong increase in the flux of relativistic electrons during the recovery phase of magnetic storms and during other active periods is investigated with the help of Hamiltonian formalism and simulations of test electrons which interact with whistler waves. The intensity of the whistler waves is enhanced significantly due to injection of 10–100 keV electrons during the substorm. Electrons which drift in the gradient and curvature of the magnetic field generate the rising tones of VLF whistler chorus. The seed population of relativistic electrons which bounce along the inhomogeneous magnetic field, interacts resonantly with the whistler waves. Whistler wave propagating obliquely to the magnetic field can interact with energetic electrons through Landau, cyclotron, and higher harmonic resonant interactions when the Doppler-shifted wave frequency equals any (positive or negative) integer multiple of the local relativistic gyrofrequency. Because the gyroradius of a relativistic electron may be the order of or greater than the perpendicular wavelength, numerous cyclotron, harmonics can contribute to the resonant interaction which breaks down the adiabatic invariant. A similar process diffuses the pitch angle leading to electron precipitation. The irreversible changes in the adiabatic invariant depend on the relative phase between the wave and the electron, and successive resonant interactions result in electrons undergoing a random walk in energy and pitch angle. This resonant process may contribute to the 10–100 fold increase of the relativistic electron flux in the outer radiation belt, and constitute an interesting relation between substorm-generated waves and enhancements in fluxes of relativistic electrons during geomagnetic storms and other active periods.     

基于JUNO卫星WAVES仪器波动数据的木星磁层哨声波分析研究

等离子体波的空间分布在木星磁层高能电子动力学过程中起着重要的作用.现有大多数对木星磁层哨声波的观测仅限于|λ|≤15°的磁纬范围内,但是最新的JUNO卫星WAVES仪器提供的波动数据使得更高纬度、更广区域范围内的等离子体波动分布研究成为可能.本文通过对JUNO卫星WAVES仪器数据进行分析处理,详细研究了木星磁层哨声波的空间分布特性.观测表明,存在位于高LJ、高磁纬的木星磁层哨声波,它们广泛分布于距木星中心距离35～75个木星半径、磁纬为|λ|≤30°的空间区域.分析研究发现,WAVES仪器观测的木星磁层哨声波幅度一般为几个pT,远小于地球磁层哨声波的强度.木星磁层哨声波幅会随着LJ的增大缓慢增加,也会随着磁纬的减小趋向平缓变化.基于以上观测事实,本文利用指数幂函数分别拟合得到木星磁层哨声波幅随LJ和磁纬变化的经验模型.该模型将有助于精确理解哨声波对木星磁层高能电子动力学过程的重要影响.     

Energetic proton precipitation related to ion–cyclotron waves

This brief review summarizes recent findings related to particle precipitation associated with electromagnetic ion–cyclotron (EMIC) waves seen on the ground as geomagnetic Pc1 and IPDP pulsations.Particle precipitation signatures of ion–cyclotron interaction are described as revealed from low-altitude satellite measurements of the energetic proton fluxes as well as from observations of the proton aurora. As a result, localized proton precipitation patterns situated equatorward of the isotropy boundary are disclosed. One of the patterns is a proton precipitation spot in the morning sector, presumably mapped onto plasmapause; another one is an elongated region of the precipitation, presumably mapped onto the plasmaspheric plume.Clear evidence of the pitch-angle scattering associated with the ion–cyclotron wave activity is found near the equatorial plane in the region conjugated with the localized proton precipitation at low altitude.Thus, the revealed precipitation patterns determine the location of the region of intense pitch-angle scattering of energetic protons, and, therefore, their observations can be used to monitor the region of the ion–cyclotron interaction and to study its origin and properties. Some examples of such application of the low-altitude observations of energetic particles are described.     

Chung Park,pioneer of magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling research

Chung Park (1938–2003) was a true pioneer of magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling research. During a short career at Stanford University that began in 1970 and ended in 1981, he wrote seminal papers on several topics. Using ground-based whistler data, he was the first to demonstrate experimentally that day-side upward ion flow from the mid-latitude ionosphere was sufficient to maintain the night-time ionosphere. He made the only measurements to date of longitudinally localized drainage of significant quantities of plasmaspheric plasma into the underlying ionosphere during a period of enhanced convection activity. He pioneered in demonstrating the presence at ionospheric heights of geophysically important electric fields that originate in the troposphere in thunderstorm centers. He cooperated in a unique study of the guidance of whistler-mode waves by field-aligned density irregularities (ducts) in the magnetosphere. Park provided unique observational data on nonlinear wave–particle interaction processes such as: (i) the development of sidebands during the injection of whistler-mode waves from Siple, Antarctica, and (ii) the mysterious whistler precursor phenomenon. Today, in spite of the several decades that have elapsed since his work, Park's early findings remain cornerstones of our understanding of magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling processes. Some of his later studies of non-linear magnetospheric wave–particle interaction phenomena have stirred lively debate, and today remain relevant to a number of topics in space plasma wave research.     

Generation of EMIC Waves in the Magnetosphere and Precipitation of Energetic Protons: Comparison of the Data from THEMIS High Earth Orbiting Satellites and POES Low Earth Orbiting Satellites

Regions of the detection of electromagnetic ion-cyclotron (EMIC) waves on the THEMIS satellites near the equatorial plane and the precipitation of energetic protons on POES low Earth orbiting satellites are compared with the magnetospheric magnetic field model. It is confirmed that low Earth orbiting satellites detect the precipitation of energetic protons in the regon associated with observations of EMIC waves in the magnetosphere. This is consistent with the idea that protons are scattered in the loss cone as a result of ioncyclotron interaction. Thus, observations of fluxes of energetic protons in low Earth orbits can be used to monitor ion-cyclotron instability regions in the magnetosphere. Simultaneous observations at high and low Earth orbits contribute to the construction of a spatiotemporal pattern of the interaction region of EMIC waves and energetic protons. In addition, it is shown that proton precipitation associated with EMIC waves can cause errors in determining the latitude of the isotropic boundary (the equatorial boundary of isotropic fluxes of energetic protons), which is an indicator of the configuration of the magnetic field in the magnetosphere.     

Global distribution of energetic proton precipitations equatorward of the boundary of isotropic fluxes

Based on data of the NOAA POES satellite, the global distribution of the occurrence rate of precipitations of energetic protons (E > 30 keV) equatorward of the boundary of isotropic fluxes has been constructed for the first time. It has been shown that the occurrence rate of proton precipitations inside the zone of anisotropic fluxes is maximum in daytime hours (1100–1600 MLT) at latitudes L = 6–9 and decreases in evening and morning hours. Comparison of the obtained results about proton precipitations with the spatial distribution of the occurrence rate of electromagnetic ion–cyclotron (EMIC) waves in the equatorial magnetosphere according to results of satellite observations demonstrates a close relationship between them. This corroborates that precipitations of energetic protons equatorward of the boundary of isotropic fluxes are a consequence of the development of the ion–cyclotron instability in the equatorial magnetosphere.     

Strong localized variations of the low-altitude energetic electron fluxes in the evening sector near the plasmapause

Specific type of energetic electron precipitation accompanied by a sharp increase in trapped energetic electron flux are found in the data obtained from low-altitude NOAA satellites. These strongly localized variations of the trapped and precipitated energetic electron flux have been observed in the evening sector near the plasmapause during recovery phase of magnetic storms. Statistical characteristics of these structures as well as the results of comparison with proton precipitation are described. We demonstrate the spatial coincidence of localized electron precipitation with cold plasma gradient and whistler wave intensification measured on board the DE-1 and Aureol-3 satellites. A simultaneous localized sharp increase in both trapped and precipitating electron flux could be a result of significant pitch-angle isotropization of drifting electrons due to their interaction via cyclotron instability with the region of sharp increase in background plasma density.     

Whistler–electron interactions in the magnetosphere: new results and novel approaches

Attention is focused here on the quasilinear and nonlinear physics of cyclotron interactions between magnetospheric whistler mode waves and energetic electrons on dipolar geomagnetic flux tubes. These interactions can lead to the generation of noise-like emissions or phase-coherent discrete signals in the frequency-time domain. In the magnetosphere noise-like emissions called hiss are accompanied by a smooth electron precipitation pattern. Examples of discrete emissions are ELF/VLF chorus or VLF emissions triggered by whistlers from lightning or by radio transmitters on the ground. The rapid temporal variations of these signals are associated with fine structure of the distribution function of the radiation belt electrons, such as a transient step-like deformation or a well-organized beam, which are prepared by initial noise-like emissions or by a quasimonochromatic whistler–wave packet, respectively. These cause the properties of the electrons, which may be observed on a satellite, to evolve rapidly in time and on relatively short spatial scales. Bursts of precipitating electrons occur, and can contribute significantly to depleting the radiation belts. Recent results on improvements in the theoretical understanding of such processes and on new observations of magnetospheric electrons and whistler-mode waves are presented.     

波粒相互作用导致环电流质子沉降的卫星共轭观测

波粒相互作用是环电流损失的重要机制之一,但波粒相互作用导致的环电流离子沉降而损失迄今为止缺乏直接的观测证据.基于磁层及电离层卫星的协同观测,本文报道了发生在2015年9月7日,由电磁离子回旋波(EMIC波)导致环电流质子沉降的共轭观测事件.在等离子体层的内边界,Van Allen Probe B卫星观测到,存在EMIC波的区域和不存在EMIC波的区域相比,离子通量的投掷角分布的各向异性变弱.我们将Van Allen Probe B卫星沿着磁力线投影到电离层高度,同时在该投影区域内DMSP 16卫星在亚极光区域观测到环电流质子沉降.而且,通过从理论上计算质子弹跳平均扩散系数,我们进一步证实观测的EMIC波确实能将环电流质子散射到损失锥中.本文的研究工作为EMIC波导致环电流质子沉降提供了直接的观测证据,揭示了环电流衰减的重要物理机制:EMIC波将环电流质子散射到损失锥中,从而沉降到低高度大气层中而损失.     

基于CARISMA地磁台链观测的IPDP事件的统计分析

亚暴期间磁尾等离子体片离子注入内磁层能够激发电磁离子回旋(EMIC)波.对应于这种EMIC波,地面磁力仪可观测到周期逐渐减小的地磁脉动(IPDP).利用GOES卫星数据,地磁指数和加拿大CARISMA地磁台站的数据,我们研究了IPDP事件的产生与亚暴磁尾注入的关系.同时利用CARISMA地磁台链中的MCMU和MSTK两个台站,从2005年4月到2014年5月期间的观测数据,统计分析了亚暴期间的IPDP事件,研究了IPDP事件的出现率关于季节和磁地方时的分布特征.我们总共获得128个两个台站同时观测的IPDP事件.该类事件关于季节分布的发生率,冬季最小,为13.28%,春季最大,为32.81%,结果表明IPDP事件关于季节分布的发生率受到电离层电导率及亚暴发生率的影响.两个台站同时观测到的IPDP事件最大出现率出现在15—18 MLT(磁地方时),结果表明IPDP事件主要由亚暴期间产生的能量离子注入内磁层,西向漂移遇到等离子体层羽状结构(Plume)区的高密度等离子体所激发.     

Broadband Plasma Waves In The MagnetopauseAnd Polar Cap Boundary Layers

Boundary layers occurring in the magnetosphere can support a wide spectrumof plasma waves spanning a frequency range of a few mHz to tens of kHz andbeyond. This review describes the main characteristics of the broadband plasma waves observed in the Earth's low-latitude magnetopause boundary layer (LLBL), in the polar cap boundary layer (PCBL), and the possible generation mechanisms. The broadband waves at the low-latitude boundary layer are sufficiently intense to cause the diffusion of the magnetosheath plasma across the closed magnetospheric field lines at a rate rapid enough to populate and maintain the boundary layer itself. The rapid pitch angle scattering of energetic particles via cyclotron resonant interactionswith the waves can provide sufficient precipitation energy flux to the ionosphere to create the dayside aurora. In general, the broadband plasma waves may play an important part in the processes of local heating/acceleration of the boundary layer plasma.     

Some new possibilities for diagnosing the magnetosphere based on whistler characteristics

Different types of natural electromagnetic emissions are generated in the Earth’s electronic radiation belts. The conditions for generation of these emissions depend on the plasma parameters, geometry of the system, wave transfer processes, and regularities of particle accumulation and precipitation from the magnetic trap. Effective interaction between waves and particles can often be described by the plasma magnetospheric maser theory. A plasma magnetospheric maser actually operates in several main regimes. These regimes are responsible for the generation of VLF emissions with different frequency spectrum dynamics. The regimes replace each other as a result of variations in the local and global characteristics of the magnetosphere. For example, the cyclotron generation dynamics largely depends on the the source power of energetic particles. Several new methods for diagnosing the near-Earth plasma can be implemented if the plasma magnetospheric maser theory is known.     

Spectral characteristics of waves and particles in the model of cyclotron wave-particle interactions near plasmapause

Further analysis of energetic electron precipitation at the evening sector of magnetosphere is performed. In the framework of the quantitative model of cyclotron wave-particle interactions developed in the previous Pasmanik et al. paper, the case of finite spread over energies of initial energetic electron distribution is studied. The solution for distribution function of energetic electron is found. The energetic spectrum of trapped and precipitating electrons and whistler wave spectrum are analysed.     

Alfven行波涌浪携带的场向电场──极光粒子加速机制

提出一个剪切Ａｌｆｖｅｎ波加速极光粒子的新模式。频率远小于离子回旋频率的Ａｌｆｖｅｎ波由磁层向电离层传播会演化成孤波，当场向电流超过离子声不稳定性的临界电流时，激发离子声不稳定性，波与粒子的相互作用产生反常阻尼使Ａｌｆｖｅｎ波演化成行波涌浪。它携带一个方向向上的平行电场，加速极光电子形成分立极光。对等离子体密度、电场及其对应的电势进行了数值计算，结果发现满足磁层加速区条件形成Ａｌｆｖｎ行波涌浪，提供足够强的加速粒子的电场。     

Oblique Whistler-Mode Waves in the Inhomogeneous Magnetospheric Plasma: Resonant Interactions with Energetic Charged Particles

A consistent account is given of the theory of resonant interactions between energetic charged particles and a whistler-mode wave propagating obliquely to the non-uniform geomagnetic field in the inhomogeneous magnetospheric plasma. The basic equations for the wave field and charged particle dynamics are presented, with the emphasis being placed on the parameters governing the problem. A Hamiltonian approach is consistently used in the analysis of the particle equations of motion which are discussed in detail and solved analytically in various cases. Two applications of the theory are considered. First, we calculate the growth (or damping) rate for a whistler-mode wave propagating obliquely to geomagnetic field in the magnetosphere. Secondly, we estimate the proton precipitation into the upper atmosphere induced by a VLF transmitter signal.     

Amplitude–frequency characteristics of ion–cyclotron and whistler-mode waves from Van Allen Probes data

Using two-hour (from 2300 UT January 25, 2013 to 0100 UT January 26, 2013) measurement data from Van Allen Probes on fluxes of energetic particles, cold plasma density, and magnetic field magnitude, we have calculated the local growth rate of electromagnetic ion–cyclotron and whistler-mode waves for field-aligned propagation. The results of these calculations have been compared with wave spectra observed by the same Van Allen Probe spacecraft. The time intervals when the calculated wave increments are sufficiently large, and the frequency ranges corresponding to the enhancement peak agree with the frequency–time characteristics of observed electromagnetic waves. We have analyzed the influence of variations in the density and ionic composition of cold plasma, fluxes of energetic particles, and their pitch-angle distribution on the wave generation. The ducted propagation of waves plays an important role in their generation during the given event. The chorus VLF emissions observed in this event cannot be explained by kinetic cyclotron instability, and their generation requires much sharper changes (“steps”) for velocity distributions than those measured by energetic particle detectors on Van Allen Probes satellites.     

Magnetospheric lion roars

The Equator-S magnetometer is very sensitive and has a sampling rate normally of 128 Hz. The high sampling rate for the first time allows detection of ELF waves between the ion cyclotron and the lower hybrid frequencies in the equatorial dawnside magnetosphere. The characteristics of these waves are virtually identical to the lion roars typically seen at the bottom of the magnetic troughs of magnetosheath mirror waves. The magnetospheric lion roars are near-monochromatic packets of electron whistler waves lasting for a few wave cycles only, typically 0.2 s. They are right-hand circularly polarized waves with typical amplitudes of 0.5 nT at around one tenth of the electron gyrofrequency. The cone angle between wave vector and ambient field is nearly always smaller than 1°.     

A quantitative model for cyclotron wave-particle interactions at the plasmapause

The formation of a zone of energetic electron precipitation by the plasmapause, a region of enhanced plasma density, following energetic particle injection during a magnetic storm, is analyzed. Such a region can also be formed by detached cold plasma clouds appearing in the outer magnetosphere by restructuring of the plasmasphere during a magnetic storm. As a mechanism of precipitation, wave-particle interactions by the cyclotron instability between whistler-mode waves and electrons are considered. In the framework of the self-consistent equations of quasi-linear plasma theory, the distribution function of trapped electrons and the electron precipitation pattern are found. The theoretical results are compared with experimental data obtained from NOAA satellites.     

Interrelation between localized energetic particle precipita ion and cold plasma inhomogeneities in the magnetosphere

Situations when localized precipitation of energetic (E > 30 keV) protons and electrons, associated with the development of cyclotron instability in the magnetosphere, is recorded during one satellite pass are identified in the data of particle flux observations on the NOAA-12 low-orbiting satellite. Such events were observed only in the evening sector of the magnetosphere. This precipitation is compared with the data on the cold (E < 10 eV) plasma density obtained on the LANL geostationary satellites. The comparison showed that the precipitation of energetic particles is related to the presence of cold plasma with a density of 20–100 cm^?3 in geostationary orbit in the evening sector of the magnetosphere. The conclusion has been made that the localized precipitation of energetic particles is generated at the edges of small-scale structures of cold plasma, forming the so-called “plasmaspheric tail,” i.e., the cold plasma region extending from the evening plasmapause toward the Sun.