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Found 40 entries in the Bibliography.
Showing entries from 1 through 40
| 2021 |
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Electromagnetic characteristics of fast magnetosonic waves in the inner magnetosphere Abstract In evaluating the effects of fast magnetosonic (MS) waves on magnetospheric particles, their magnetic spectra are often obtained from satellite observations, while electric field components are usually derived under the cold plasma approximation. However, such an approximation has not been verified with in situ observations yet. In this paper, we report the electromagnetic characteristic for MS waves in various plasma environments with observations of the Van Allen Probe A. It is found that a considerable number of observed MS waves consist of dominated electrostatic components, which also suggest the importance of inspecting the estimation algorithm for the electric field components. Moreover, the comparison between results from statistical and theoretical analysis shows that electromagnetic characteristics of the observed MS waves can be well predicted by cold plasma theory. Our result indicates the validation of cold plasma approximation to estimate the electric field components of MS waves from their magnetic counterparts in the inner magnetosphere. Yu, Xiongdong; Yuan, Zhigang; Yao, Fei; Ouyang, Zhihai; Wang, Dedong; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 08/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029759 Fast Magnetosonic Waves; Electromagnetic characteristics; Van Allen Probes; Cold plasma approximation |
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Observation of unusual chorus elements by Van Allen Probes AbstractWhistler mode chorus waves play an important role in the radiation belt dynamics, which usually appear as discrete elements with frequency sweeping. Finer structure analysis shows that a chorus element is composed of several frequency-sweeping subelements, and such two-level structures can be successfully reproduced by modeling based on nonlinear theories. Previous observations and models suggest that an element and its subelements should have the same frequency-sweep direction. However, we here present two unexpected chorus rising tone events within which the subelements exhibit clearly reversed, falling frequency-sweep. Moreover, the subelements consist of several wave packets that also show falling frequency-sweep features. The three-level structured chorus elements are distinctly different from all the reported observations and seem to bring challenges to the existing theories. We propose a possible scenario that the falling tone subelements are formed by nonlinear process with much shorter timescale and the starting frequency of each subelement is controlled by fast varying electron distribution. This study may inspire more studies toward a thorough understanding of the chorus generation process. Liu, Si; Gao, Zhonglei; Xiao, Fuliang; He, Qian; Li, Tong; Shang, Xiongjun; Zhou, Qinghua; Yang, Chang; Zhang, Sai; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 06/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029258 |
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Abstract Auroral kilometric radiations (AKR) are strong radio emission phenomena, and can prduce significant acceleration or scattering of radiation belt electrons. The variation of AKR wave amplitude with the latitude (λ) has not been reported so far owing to lack of measurements. Here, using observations of the Arase satellite and Van Allen Probes from 23 March 2017 to 31 July 2019, we present the first statistical study on the AKR electric field amplitude (Et) in the radiation belts for |λ| = 0° − 40° and L-shell L = 3.0−6.2. Results (totally 14,770 samples) show that Et can be described by a concise formula: Et(λ) = E0 exp(ξ sin |λ|), decreasing with decreasing latitude. Fitting parameters E0 and ξ are limited in the ranges: E0 = 0.054−0.340 mV/m and ξ = 3.0−4.2. Wave amplitudes are greater (smaller) under intense (weak) geomagnetic conditions. This study helps to better quantify the gyroresonance between AKR and radiation belt electrons. Zhang, Sai; Liu, Si; Li, Wentao; He, Yihua; Yang, Qiwu; Xiao, Fuliang; Kumamoto, Atsushi; Miyoshi, Yoshizumi; Nakamura, Yosuke; Tsuchiya, Fuminori; Kasahara, Yoshiya; Shinohara, Iku; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 04/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL092805 AKR; wave amplitude; geomagnetic latitude; Radiation belt; field-aligned; Van Allen Probes |
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Energetic electron detection packages on board Chinese navigation satellites in MEO Abstract Energetic electron measurements and spacecraft charging are of great significance for theoretical research in space physics and space weather applications. In this paper, the energetic electron detection package (EEDP) deployed on three Chinese navigation satellites in medium Earth orbit (MEO) is reviewed. The instrument was developed by the space science payload team led by Peking University. The EEDP includes a pinhole medium-energy electron spectrometer (MES), a high-energy electron detector (HED) based on ΔE-E telescope technology, and a deep dielectric charging monitor (DDCM). The MES measures the energy spectra of 50−600 keV electrons from nine directions with a 180°×30° field of view (FOV). The HED measures the energy spectrum of 0.5−3.0 MeV electrons from one direction with a 30° cone-angle FOV. The ground test and calibration results indicate that these three sensors exhibit excellent performance. Preliminary observations show that the electron spectra measured by the MES and HED are in good agreement with the results from the magnetic electron-ion spectrometer (MagEIS) of the Van Allen Probes spacecraft, with an average relative deviation of 27.3\% for the energy spectra. The charging currents and voltages measured by the DDCM during storms are consistent with the high-energy electron observations of the HED, demonstrating the effectiveness of the DDCM. The observations of the EEDP on board the three MEO satellites can provide important support for theoretical research on the radiation belts and the applications related to space weather. YuGuang, Ye; Hong, Zou; Qiu-Gang, Zong; HongFei, Chen; JiQing, Zou; WeiHong, Shi; XiangQian, Yu; WeiYing, Zhong; YongFu, Wang; YiXin, Hao; ZhiYang, Liu; XiangHong, Jia; Bo, Wang; XiaoPing, Yang; XiaoYun, Hao; Published by: Earth and Planetary Physics Published on: 04/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26464/epp2021021 Radiation belts; energetic electron detection; Pin-hole technology; Chinese navigation satellites; MEO; internal charging; Van Allen Probes |
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Abstract In this paper, analytical approximation is used to solve the wave equations near the plasmapause boundary layer in order to examine the validity of ray tracing approach for fast magnetosonic (MS) wave propagations, and then analytical solutions for electromagnetic fields of MS waves through the plasmapause boundary layer are provided for the first time. Both theoretical calculations from the analytical expressions and observations of Van Allen Probes have indicated that electric fields of MS waves decrease rapidly but magnetic fields increase rapidly when propagating across the plasmapause boundary layer from the outside. Considering effects of width of the plasmapause and wave frequency, parameter analysis has shown that when the width of the plasmapause boundary layer is narrow in comparison with the wavelength of MS waves, a significant part of waves will be reflected. In these circumstances, the WKB approximation and then ray tracing method might become invalid, and analytical approach provided in this paper could be utilized to solve the wave equation. Yu, Xiongdong; Yuan, Zhigang; Ouyang, Zhihai; Yao, Fei; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 02/2021 YEAR: 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028330 MS waves; Radial propagation; Analytical approach; WKB approximation; Van Allen Probes |
| 2020 |
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In this study, the excitation of narrowband fast magnetosonic (MS) waves near the lower hybrid resonance frequency (fLHR) has been investigated with observations from Van Allen Probes mission and linear growth theory. A typical wave event is first examined to show that these waves can be excited through linear instabilities driven by partial shell distributions of protons. Then it is found that these narrowband MS waves from 188 wave events observed by the Van Allen Probe A between January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015 have central frequencies around 0.7fLHR with a bandwidth of 0.2fLHR. In addition, these waves are observed mainly in the dayside and dusk sectors outside the plasmapause, which is different from previously reported results. Moreover, the simultaneously observed energetic protons during wave activities show that the ratios of the ring speed Vr to the Alfvén speed VA mainly fall into the range of 0.8 < Vr/VA < 1, and this preferred condition for excitations of narrowband MS waves near fLHR is also verified by a parameter analysis of calculating linear wave growth rates combined with wave observations. Ouyang, Zhihai; Yuan, Zhigang; Yu, Xiongdong; Yao, Fei; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 12/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028158 central frequencies; linear growth rates; lower hybrid resonance frequency; narrowband fast magnetosonic wave; Proton rings; Van Allen Probes |
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Fast magnetosonic (MS) waves are excited by the ring distribution of energetic protons preferably when the ring velocity (VR) is within a factor of 2 above or below the local Alfvén speed (VA). Here we examine the global distributions of MS waves and proton rings with 0.5VA ≤ VR ≤ 2VA based on 64 months (from October 25, 2012 to February 28, 2018) of Van Allen Probes observations. The statistical results show that MS waves are present over a broad region of L = 1.2–6.0 and 00–24 magnetic local time (MLT), with a higher occurrence rate at L = 2.5–5.5 on the dayside. Proton rings occur mainly on the dayside of L > 5.0. During active geomagnetic periods, both MS waves and proton rings occur more frequently and extend to low L-shells. The current results provide the further observational evidence that MS waves can be excited by proton rings at a distant region and propagate to low L-shells. Zhou, Qinghua; Jiang, Zheng; Yang, Chang; He, Yihua; Liu, Si; Xiao, Fuliang; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 12/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028354 Fast Magnetosonic Waves; global occurrences; proton ring distribution; Radiation belt; Van Allen Probe observation; Van Allen Probes |
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On the Formation of Wedge-Like Ion Spectral Structures in the Nightside Inner Magnetosphere Recent observations in the nightside inner magnetosphere have identified a series of wedge-like spectral structures in the energy-time spectrograms of oxygen, helium, and hydrogen ion fluxes. Although the shapes and distributions of these structures have been characterized by case and statistical studies, their formation mechanism remains unclear. Here we utilize a particle tracing model to reproduce the wedge-like structures successively observed by the twin Van Allen Probes. The model suggests that these structures originate from intermittent substorm injection, and it is the accessibility region of these injected ions that determines their shapes. This mechanism is similar to the formation of another kind of structures, the inner magnetospheric nose-like structures, except that the wedge-like structures are separated from the tail population by the discontinuation of ion injections. This scenario is also supported by the distribution statistics of wedge-like structures, which provides new insights into the dynamics of the magnetotail-inner magnetosphere coupled system. Zhou, Xu-Zhi; Ren, Jie; Yang, Fan; Yue, Chao; Zong, Qiu-Gang; Fu, Sui-Yan; Wang, Yongfu; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 11/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028420 wedge-like structure; inner magnetosphere; substorm injection; magnetospheric convection; ring current; magnetotail; Van Allen Probes |
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Analytical Fast Magnetosonic Wave Model Based on Observations of Van Allen Probe Based on observations of Van Allen Probe-A during the period from 19 September 2012 to 28 February 2016, the relations of the fast magnetosonic (MS) wave amplitude Bw with kp index, the wave normal angle (WNA), and the wave normalized frequency (norF) are presented. Then, we establish an analytical regression model for MS wave amplitude as a function of geomagnetic storm activity (presented by kp index), L-shell (L), magnetic local time (MLT), magnetic latitude (λ), and the characteristics of MS wave, that is, wave norF and WNA. From the analytical Bw models, we found MS wave amplitude Bw has a positive relation with the intensity of geomagnetic activities both inside and outside the plasmapause, while the Bw can reach higher values inside the plasmapause than it does outside the plasmapause as the kp index increases. The Bw distribution on the norF demonstrates that most of the wave energies are concentrated on the lower harmonics part, which results from the excitation mechanism of MS waves. In addition, the Bw distribution on the WNA shows that the waves with larger normal angles have higher values of wave amplitude. Our analytic MS wave model agrees with the observed distribution in 3-D space of L, MLT, and λ well with high value of determine coefficient R2. The extended λ dimension will help us to calculate the more accurate bounced averaged diffusion coefficients during particles transit time. Yao, Fei; Yuan, Zhigang; Yu, Xiongdong; Wang, Dedong; Ouyang, Zhihai; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 10/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028527 fast magnetosonic wave; Van Allen Probe; analytical regression model; wave normal angle; Plasmapause; Van Allen Probes |
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Ionospheric Signatures of Ring Current Ions Scattered by Magnetosonic Waves In this letter, we present unique conjugated satellite observations of ionospheric signatures of ring current (RC) ions scattered by fast magnetosonic (MS) waves. In the plasmasphere, the Van Allen Probe in situ observed MS waves. At ionospheric altitudes, the NOAA 16 satellite at the footprint of Van Allen Probe simultaneously observed obvious enhancements of mirroring RC ions, but no obvious variations of precipitating RC ions at subauroral latitudes. Theoretical calculations of pitch angle diffusion coefficients for RC ions confirm that observed MS waves can lead to flux enhancements only for mirroring but not for precipitating RC ions, which is in agreement with the observations of NOAA 16. Our result provides a direct link between in situ inner magnetospheric observations of MS waves and conjugated ionospheric observations of flux enhancements for mirroring RC ions caused by MS waves so as to reveal the ionospheric signature of RC ions scattered by MS waves. Yuan, Zhigang; Yao, Fei; Yu, Xiongdong; Ouyang, Zhihai; Huang, Shiyong; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 08/2020 YEAR: 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL089032 magnetosonic waves; mirroring ions; pitch angle scatter; precipitating ions; Van Allen Probes; Ring current ions |
| 2019 |
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Fast magnetosonic (MS) waves can play an important role in the evolution of the inner magnetosphere. However, there is still not an effective method to quantitatively identify such waves for observations of the Van Allen Probes reasonably. In this paper, we used Van Allen Probes data from 18 September 2012 to 30 September 2014 to find a more comprehensive automatic detection algorithm for fast MS waves through statistical analysis of the major properties, including the planarity, ellipticity, and wave normal angle of whole fluctuations using the singular value decomposition method. According to a control variate method, we find an obvious difference between fast MS waves and other waves in the statistical distribution of their major properties. After eliminating the influence of background noises, by excluding fluctuations at L < 1.8, we set up an automatic detection algorithm applied to fast MS waves, that is, smaller than 0.2 for the absolute value of wave ellipticity, larger than 70\textdegree for the wave normal angle, with frequency range of 2 Hz to 1.5 fLHR (fLHR is the local lower hybrid resonance frequency). Finally, we have checked the planarity to verify availability of this method and tested this completely automatic method on the Van Allen Probes data and found some results consistent with previous studies. Inside the plasmapause, we found that there is a more obviously favorable occurrence of MS waves at dusk sector with increasing magnetic latitudes. Yuan, Zhigang; Yao, Fei; Yu, Xiongdong; Huang, Shiyong; Ouyang, Zhihai; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: Apr-05-2021 YEAR: 2019 DOI: 10.1029/2018JA026387 ellipticity; magnetosonic wave; normalized distribution; planarity; Van Allen Probes; wave normal angle |
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Based on the statistical data measured by Van Allen Probes from 2012 to 2016, we analyzed the effects of solar wind plasma flow and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) on the spatial distribution of Earth\textquoterights radiation belt electrons (>100 keV). The statistical results indicate that the increases in solar wind plasma density and flow speed can exert different effects on the spatial structure of the radiation belts. The high solar wind plasma density (>6 cm-3)/flow pressure (>2.5 nPa) and a large southward IMF (Bz < -6 nT) usually appear in the front of high-speed solar wind streams (> 450 km/s), and they tend to narrow the outer radiation belt but broaden the slot region. In contrast, the increase in solar wind flow speed can broaden the outer radiation belt but narrows the slot region. When the solar wind speed exceeds 500 km/s, the outer radiation belt electrons can penetrate into the slot region (L < 3) and even enter the inner radiation belt (L < 2). The lower-energy electrons penetrate into the deeper (smaller-L) region than the higher-energy electrons. Li, L.Y.; Yang, S.S.; Cao, J.B.; Yu, J.; Luo, X.Y.; Blake, J.B.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 12/2019 YEAR: 2019 DOI: 10.1029/2019JA027284 Changes in The Spatial Structure of Earth\textquoterights Radiation Belts; Increase in Solar Wind Plasma Density; Increase in Solar Wind Plasma Flow Speed; Northward Interplanetary Magnetic Field; Southward interplanetary magnetic field; Van Allen Probes |
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Storm-time convection dynamics viewed from optical auroras A series of statistical and event studies have demonstrated that the motion of patches in regions of Patchy Pulsating Aurora (PPA) is very close to, if not exactly, convection. Therefore, 2D maps of PPA motion provide us the opportunity to remotely sense magnetospheric convection with relatively high space and time resolution, subject to uncertainties associated with the mapping between the ionosphere and magnetosphere. In this study, we use THEMIS ASI (All Sky Imager) aurora observations combined with RBSP electric field and magnetic field measurements to explore convection dynamics during storm time. From 0500 UT to 0600 UT on March 19 2015, auroral observations across ~4 h of magnetic local time (MLT) show that increases in the westward velocities of patches are closely related to earthward flow bursts in the inner plasma sheet. Together with the meridian scanning photometer (MSP) data, this suggests that the increase in the westward velocities of PPA patches is caused by earthward-moving ion injection structures carried by the fast earthward flows. Yang, Bing; Donovan, Eric; Liang, Jun; Ruohoniemi, Michael; McWilliams, Kathryn; Spanswick, Emma; Published by: Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics Published on: 10/2019 YEAR: 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jastp.2019.105088 Auroral streamer; convection; Fast earthward flows; pulsating aurora; Van Allen Probes |
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Auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) can potentially produce serious damage to space-borne systems by accelerating trapped radiation belt electrons to relativistic energies. Here we examine the global occurrences of AKR emissions in radiation belts based on Van Allen Probes observations from 1 October 2012 to 31 December 2016. The statistical results (1,848 events in total) show that AKR covers a broad region of L= 3\textendash6.5 and 00\textendash24 magnetic local time (MLT), with a higher occurrence on the nightside (20\textendash24 MLT and 00\textendash04 MLT) within L= 5\textendash6.5. All the AKR events are observed to be accompanied with suprathermal (\~1 keV) electron flux enhancements. During active geomagnetic periods, both AKR occurrences and electron injections tend to be more distinct, and AKR emission extends to the dayside. The current study shows that AKR emissions from the remote sources are closely associated with electron injections. Zhao, Wanli; Liu, Si; Zhang, Sai; Zhou, Qinghua; Yang, Chang; He, Yihua; Gao, Zhonglei; Xiao, Fuliang; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 07/2019 YEAR: 2019 DOI: 10.1029/2019GL083944 Auroral kilometric radiation; global occurrence; Radiation belt; suprathermal electron flux enhancenments; Van Allen Probes |
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Electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) waves can yield diffuse aurora primarily at higher L-shells by driving efficient precipitation loss of plasma sheet electrons. Here using the Van Allen Probes high resolution data, we examine in detail the global occurrences of ECH waves during the period from October 1, 2012 to June 30, 2017 and find that there are totally 419 events of enhanced ECH waves. The statistical results demonstrate that ECH waves can be present over a broad region of L=4-6 and 00-24 MLT, with a higher occurrence in the region of L=5-6 and 06-19 MLT. The electron phase space density exhibits a distinct ring distribution (∂f/∂v⊥ >0) with the peak energy around a few keV. Both ECH wave events and the electron ring distributions are closely related and tend to be more distinct with increasing geomagnetic activity. Chen, Yaru; Zhou, Qinghua; He, Yihua; Yang, Chang; Liu, Si; Gao, Zhonglei; Xiao, Fuliang; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 04/2019 YEAR: 2019 DOI: 10.1029/2019GL082668 electron ring distribution; global occurrences; Radiation belt; Van Allen Probe observation; Van Allen Probes; waves |
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Simultaneous trapping of EMIC and MS waves by background plasmas Electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves and fast magnetosonic waves are found to be simultaneously modulated by background plasma density: both kinds of waves were observed in high plasma density regions but vanished in low density regions. Theoretical analysis based on Snell\textquoterights law and linear growth theory have been utilized to investigate the physical mechanisms driving such modulation. It is suggested that the modulation of fast magnetosonic waves might be due to trapping by plasma density structures, which results from a conservation of the parameter Q during their propagation. Here Q = nrsinψ, with n the refractive index, r the radial distance, and ψ the wave azimuthal angle. As for electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves, the modulation might be owed to the ion composition difference between different plasma density regions. Our results indicate the alternative mechanism for simultaneous appearance of electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves and fast magnetosonic waves (rather than wave excitations of both two wave emissions), which might take combined effects on the evolution of radiation belt electrons. Yuan, Zhigang; Yu, Xiongdong; Ouyang, Zhihai; Yao, Fei; Huang, Shiyong; Funsten, H.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 02/2019 YEAR: 2019 DOI: 10.1029/2018JA026149 EMIC waves; MS waves; Ring current ions; Van Allen Probes; Wave trapping |
| 2018 |
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In this letter, we present unique conjugated satellite observations of MeV relativistic electron precipitation caused by electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves. On the outer boundary of the plasmasphere, the Van Allen probe observed EMIC waves. At ionospheric altitudes, the NOAA 16 satellite at the footprint of Van Allen probe simultaneously detected obvious flux enhancements for precipitating >MeV radiation belt electrons, but not for precipitating Yuan, Zhigang; Liu, Kun; Yu, Xiongdong; Yao, Fei; Huang, Shiyong; Wang, Dedong; Ouyang, Zhihai; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 11/2018 YEAR: 2018 DOI: 10.1029/2018GL080481 Chorus; EMIC waves; Particle precipitation; Radiation belt; ring current; Van Allen Probes; Wave-particle interaction |
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Generation of lower L -shell dayside chorus by energetic electrons from the plasmasheet Currently, the generation mechanism for the lower L-shell dayside chorus has still remained an open question. Here, we report two storm events: 06-07 March 2016 and 20-21 January 2016, when Van Allen Probes observed enhanced dayside chorus with lower and higher wave normal angles (the angles between the wave vector and the geomagnetic field) in the region of L = 3.5-6.3 and MLT = 5.6-13.5. Hot and energetic (\~ 1-100 keV) electrons displayed enhancements in fluxes and anisotropy when they were injected from the plasmasheet and drifted from midnight through dawn toward the dayside. Calculations of chorus local growth rates under different waves normal angles show that the upper cutoff and peak wave frequencies display similar patterns to the observations. Chorus growth rates maximize for the parallel propagation and drop with increasing wave normal angles. The current results confirm that the observed lower L-shell dayside chorus can be excited by anisotropic electrons originating from the plasmasheet in drifting from the nightside to the dayside. He, Yihua; Xiao, Fuliang; Su, Zhenpeng; Zheng, Huinan; Yang, Chang; Liu, Si; Zhou, Qinghua; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 09/2018 YEAR: 2018 DOI: 10.1029/2017JA024889 Dayside chorus generation; Radiation belt; Van Allen Probes; Wave-particle interaction |
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Using the Van Allen Probe A observations, we obtained the global distribution of proton rings and calculated the linear wave growth rate of fast magnetosonic (MS) waves in the region L ~ 3-6. Our statistical and calculated results demonstrate that MS waves can be locally excited on the dayside outside the plasmapause, as well as in the dusk sector inside the plasmapause. The frequency range of unstable MS waves is strongly modulated by the ratio of the proton ring velocity (Vr) to the local Alfv\ en speed (VA). High harmonic MS waves (ω>20ΩH+) can be excited outside the plasmapause where Vr/VA<1 while low harmonic MS waves (ω<10ΩH+) with frequencies less than ~30 Hz are found to be excited both outside and inside the plasmapause where 1 Yuan, Zhigang; Ouyang, Zhihai; Yu, Xiongdong; Huang, Shiyong; Yao, Fei; Funsten, H.; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 09/2018 YEAR: 2018 DOI: 10.1029/2018GL079999 Fast Magnetosonic Waves; linear growth rates; locally excited; low harmonic magnetosonic waves; Proton rings; Van Allen Probes |
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Previous studies have revealed a typical picture that seed electrons are transported inward under the drive of radial diffusion and then accelerated via chorus to relativistic energies. Here we show a potentially different process during the 2\textendash3 October 2013 storm when Van Allen Probes observed extremely rapid (by about 50 times in 2 h) flux enhancements of relativistic (1.8\textendash3.4 MeV) electrons but without distinct chorus at lower L-shells. Meanwhile, Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms satellites simultaneously measured enhanced chorus and fluxes of energetic (\~100\textendash300 keV) seed electrons at higher L-shells. Numerical calculations show that chorus can efficiently accelerate seed electrons at L \~ 8.3. Then radial diffusion further increased the phase space density of relativistic electrons throughout the outer radiation belts, with a remarkable agreement with the observation in magnitude and timescale. The current results provide a different physical scenario on the interplay between radial diffusion and local acceleration in outer radiation belt. Liu, Si; Yan, Qi; Yang, Chang; Zhou, Qinghua; He, Zhaoguo; He, Yihua; Gao, Zhonglei; Xiao, Fuliang; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 02/2018 YEAR: 2018 DOI: 10.1002/grl.v45.310.1002/2017GL076513 chorus-driven acceleration; radial diffusion; Radiation belt; THEMIS; Van Allen Probes |
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During the 13-14 November 2012 storm, Van Allen Probe A simultaneously observed a 10-h period of enhanced chorus (including quasi-parallel and oblique propagation components) and relativistic electron fluxes over a broad range of L = 3-6 and MLT=2 - 10 within a complete orbit cycle. By adopting a Gaussian fit to the observed wave spectra, we obtain the wave parameters and calculate the bounce-averaged diffusion coefficients. We solve the Fokker-Planck diffusion equation to simulate flux evolutions of relativistic (1.8-4.2 MeV) electrons during two intervals when Probe A passed the location L = 4.3 along its orbit. The simulating results show that chorus with combined quasi-parallel and oblique components can produce a more pronounced flux enhancement in the pitch angle range \~45o-80o, consistent well with the observation. The current results provide the first evidence on how relativistic electron fluxes vary under the drive of almost continuously distributed chorus with both quasi-parallel and oblique components within a complete orbit of Van Allen Probe. Yang, Chang; Xiao, Fuliang; He, Yihua; Liu, Si; Zhou, Qinghua; Guo, Mingyue; Zhao, Wanli; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 02/2018 YEAR: 2018 DOI: 10.1002/2017GL075894 energetic electron; Geomagnetic storm; outer radiation belt; Van Allen Probes; Wave-particle interaction; whistler-mode chorus wave |
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The effect of the plasmapause on equatorially radially propagating fast magnetosonic (MS) waves in the Earth\textquoterights dipole magnetic field is studied by using finite difference time domain method. We run 1-D simulation for three different density profiles: (1) no plasmapause, (2) with a plasmapause, and (3) with a plasmapause accompanied with fine-scale density irregularity. We find that (1) without plasmapause the radially inward propagating MS wave can reach ionosphere and continuously propagate to lower altitude if no damping mechanism is considered. The wave properties follow the cold plasma dispersion relation locally along its trajectory. (2) For simulation with a plasmapause with a scale length of 0.006 RE compared to wavelength, only a small fraction of the MS wave power is reflected by the plasmapause. WKB approximation is generally valid for such plasmapause. (3) The multiple fine-scale density irregularities near the outer edge of plasmapause can effectively block the MS wave propagation, resulting in a terminating boundary for MS waves near the plasmapause. Liu, Xu; Chen, Lunjin; Yang, Lixia; Xia, Zhiyang; Malaspina, David; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 01/2018 YEAR: 2018 DOI: 10.1002/2017JA024336 fine-scale density structure; finite difference time domain; magnetosonic wave; Plasmapause; Van Allen Probes |
| 2017 |
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Previous theoretical studies have shown that dayside chorus can produce butterfly distribution of energetic electrons in the Earth\textquoterights radiation belts by preferentially accelerating medium pitch angle electrons, but this requires the further confirmation from high-resolution satellite observation. Here, we report correlated Van Allen Probes data on wave and particle during the 11\textendash13 April, 2014 geomagnetic storm. We find that a butterfly pitch angle distribution of relativistic electrons is formed around the location L = 4.52, corresponding to the presence of enhanced dayside chorus. Using a Gaussian distribution fit to the observed chorus spectra, we calculate the bounce-averaged diffusion rates and solve two-dimensional Fokker-Planck equation. Numerical results demonstrate that acceleration by dayside chorus can yield the electron flux evolution both in the energy and butterfly pitch angle distribution comparable to the observation, providing a further evidence for the formation of butterfly distribution of relativistic electrons driven by very low frequency (VLF) plasma waves. Jin, YuYue; Yang, Chang; He, Yihua; Liu, Si; Zhou, Qinghua; Xiao, Fuliang; Published by: Science China Technological Sciences Published on: 09/2017 YEAR: 2017 DOI: 10.1007/s11431-017-9067-y butterfly distribution relativistic electrons radiation belts wave-particle interaction dayside chorus; Van Allen Probes |
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Using multisatellite measurements, a uniquely strong and long-lived relativistic electron slot region refilling event from November 2004 to January 2005 is investigated. This event occurred under remarkable interplanetary and magnetospheric conditions. Both empirically modeled and observationally estimated plasmapause locations demonstrate that the plasmasphere eroded significantly prior to the enhancement phase of this event. The estimated diffusion coefficients indicate that the radial diffusion due to ULF waves is insufficient to account for the observed enhancement of slot region electrons. However, the diffusion coefficients evaluated using the distribution of chorus wave intensities derived from low-altitude POES electron observations indicate that the local acceleration induced by chorus could account for the major feature of observed enhancement outside the plasmapause. When the plasmasphere recovered, the refilled slot region was enveloped inside the plasmapause. In the plasmasphere, while the efficiency of hiss scattering loss increases by including unusually low frequency hiss waves, the interaction with hiss alone cannot fully explain the decay of this event, especially at higher energies, which suggests that electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves contribute to the relativistic electron loss process at such low L shells for this refilling event. Through a comprehensive analysis on the basis of data analyses and numerical calculations, the present study sheds light on the underlying physics responsible for the unusual slot refilling by relativistic electrons, which exhibits the complexity of both radiation belt electron dynamics and associated wave-particle interactions. Yang, Xiaochao; Ni, Binbin; Yu, Jiang; Zhang, Yang; Zhang, Xiaoxin; Sun, Yueqiang; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 06/2017 YEAR: 2017 DOI: 10.1002/2016JA023204 Radiation belt; Relativistic electron; Slot region; Van Allen Probes |
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Electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) waves generated by the electron loss cone distribution can produce efficient scattering loss of plasma sheet electrons, which has a significant effect on the dynamics in the outer magnetosphere. Here we report two ECH emission events around the same location L≈ 5.7\textendash5.8, MLT ≈ 12 from Van Allen Probes on 11 February (event A) and 9 January 2014 (event B), respectively. The spectrum of ECH waves was centered at the lower half of the harmonic bands during event A, but the upper half during event B. The observed electron phase space density in both events is fitted by the subtracted bi-Maxwellian distribution, and the fitting functions are used to evaluate the local growth rates of ECH waves based on a linear theory for homogeneous plasmas. ECH waves are excited by the loss cone instability of 50 eV\textendash1 keV electrons in the lower half of harmonic bands in the low-density plasmasphere in event A, and 1\textendash10 keV electrons in the upper half of harmonic bands in a relatively high-density region in event B. The current results successfully explain observations and provide a first direct evidence on how ECH waves are generated in the lower and upper half of harmonic frequency bands. Zhou, Qinghua; Xiao, Fuliang; Yang, Chang; Liu, Si; He, Yihua; Baker, D.; Spence, H.; Reeves, G.; Funsten, H.; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 05/2017 YEAR: 2017 DOI: 10.1002/2017GL073051 ECH waves; RBSP results; Van Allen Probes; Wave-particle interaction |
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Based on the Van Allen Probe A observations from 1 October 2012 to 31 December 2014, we develop two empirical models to respectively describe the hiss wave normal angle (WNA) and amplitude variations in the Earth\textquoterights plasmasphere for different substorm activities. The long-term observations indicate that the plasmaspheric hiss amplitudes on the dayside increase when substorm activity is enhanced (AE index increases), and the dayside hiss amplitudes are greater than the nightside. However, the propagation angles (WNAs) of hiss waves in most regions do not depend strongly on substorm activity, except for the intense substorm-induced increase in WNAs in the nightside low L-region. The propagation angles of plasmaspheric hiss increase with increasing magnetic latitude or decreasing radial distance (L-value). The global hiss WNAs (the power-weighted averages in each grid) and amplitudes (medians) can be well reproduced by our empirical models. Yu, J.; Li, L; Cao, J.; Chen, L.; Wang, J.; Yang, J.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2017 YEAR: 2017 DOI: 10.1002/2016JA023372 hiss amplitude model; hiss wave amplitude; Plasmaspheric Hiss; propagation angle model of hiss waves; substorm dependence; Van Allen Probes; wave normal angle |
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Using the Van Allen Probe long-term (2013 \textendash 2015) observations and quasi-linear simulations of wave-particle interactions, we examine the combined or competing effects of whistler-mode waves (chorus or hiss) and magnetosonic (MS) waves on energetic (<0.5 MeV) and relativistic (>0.5 MeV) electrons inside and outside the plasmasphere. Although whistler-mode chorus waves and MS waves can singly or jointly accelerate electrons from the hundreds of keV energy to the MeV energy in the low-density trough, most of the relativistic electron enhancement events are best correlated with the chorus wave emissions outside the plasmapause. Inside the plasmasphere, intense plasmaspheric hiss can cause the net loss of relativistic electrons via persistent pitch angle scattering, regardless of whether MS waves were present or not. The intense hiss waves not only create the energy-dependent electron slot region, but also remove a lot of the outer radiation belt electrons when the expanding dayside plasmasphere frequently covers the outer zone. Since whistler-mode waves (chorus or hiss) can resonate with more electrons than MS waves, they play dominant roles in changing the outer radiation belt and the slot region. However, MS waves can accelerate the energetic electrons below 400 keV and weaken their loss inside the plasmapause. Thus, MS waves and plasmaspheric hiss generate different competing effects on energetic and relativistic electrons in the high-density plasmasphere. Li, L; Yu, J.; Cao, J.; Yang, J; Li, X.; Baker, D.; Reeves, G.; Spence, H.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 04/2017 YEAR: 2017 DOI: 10.1002/2016JA023634 magnetosonic waves; Plasmapause movement; Spatial variation of outer radiaton belt; Spatial variation of slot region; Temporal-spatial variations of chorus waves; Temporal-spatial variations of plasmaspheric hiss; Van Allen Probes |
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Generation of extremely low frequency chorus in Van Allen radiation belts Recent studies have shown that chorus can efficiently accelerate the outer radiation belt electrons to relativistic energies. Chorus, previously often observed above 0.1 equatorial electron gyrofrequency fce, was generated by energetic electrons originating from Earth\textquoterights plasma sheet. Chorus below 0.1 fce has seldom been reported until the recent data from Van Allen Probes, but its origin has not been revealed so far. Because electron resonant energy can approach the relativistic level at extremely low frequency, relativistic effects should be considered in the formula for whistler mode wave growth rate. Here we report high-resolution observations during the 14 October 2014 small storm and firstly demonstrate, using a fully relativistic simulation, that electrons with the high-energy tail population and relativistic pitch angle anisotropy can provide free energy sufficient for generating chorus below 0.1 fce. The simulated wave growth displays a very similar pattern to the observations. The current results can be applied to Jupiter, Saturn, and other magnetized planets. Xiao, Fuliang; Liu, Si; Tao, Xin; Su, Zhenpeng; Zhou, Qinghua; Yang, Chang; He, Zhaoguo; He, Yihua; Gao, Zhonglei; Baker, D.; Spence, H.; Reeves, G.; Funsten, H.; Blake, J.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 03/2017 YEAR: 2017 DOI: 10.1002/2016JA023561 ELF chorus waves; RBSP results; relativistic distribution; Van Allen Probes; Wave-particle interaction |
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Energetic (hundreds of keV) electrons in the radiation belt slot region have been found to exhibit the butterfly pitch angle distributions. Resonant interactions with magnetosonic and whistler-mode waves are two potential mechanisms for the formation of these peculiar distributions. Here we perform a statistical study of energetic electron pitch angle distribution characteristics measured by Van Allen Probes in the slot region during a three-year period from May 2013 to May 2016. Our results show that electron butterfly distributions are closely related to magnetosonic waves rather than to whistler-mode waves. Both electron butterfly distributions and magnetosonic waves occur more frequently at the geomagnetically active times than at the quiet times. In a statistical sense, more distinct butterfly distributions usually correspond to magnetosonic waves with larger amplitudes and vice versa. The averaged magnetosonic wave amplitude is less than 5 pT in the case of normal and flat-top distributions with a butterfly index BI = 1 but reaches \~ 35\textendash95 pT in the case of distinct butterfly distributions with BI > 1.3. For magnetosonic waves with amplitudes >50 pT, the occurrence rate of butterfly distribution is above 80\%. Our study suggests that energetic electron butterfly distributions in the slot region are primarily caused by magnetosonic waves. Yang, Chang; Su, Zhenpeng; Xiao, Fuliang; Zheng, Huinan; Wang, Yuming; Wang, Shui; Spence, H.; Reeves, G.; Baker, D.; Blake, J.; Funsten, H.; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 03/2017 YEAR: 2017 DOI: 10.1002/2017GL073116 butterfly distributions; Electron acceleration; Landau resonance; magnetosonic wave; Radiation belt; Van Allen Probes; Wave-particle interaction |
| 2016 |
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Explaining occurrences of auroral kilometric radiation in Van Allen radiation belts Auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) is a strong terrestrial radio emission and dominates at higher latitudes because of reflection in vicinities of the source cavity and plasmapause. Recently, Van Allen Probes have observed occurrences of AKR emission in the equatorial region of Earth\textquoterights radiation belts but its origin still remains an open question. Equatorial AKR can produce efficient acceleration of radiation belt electrons and is a risk to space weather. Here we report high-resolution observations during two small storm periods 4\textendash6 April and 18\textendash20 May 2013 and show, using a 3-D ray tracing simulation, that AKR can propagate downward all the way into the equatorial plane in the radiation belts under appropriate conditions. The simulated results can successfully explain the observed AKR\textquoterights spatial distribution and frequency range, and the current results have a wide application to all other magnetized astrophysical objects in the universe. Xiao, Fuliang; Zhou, Qinghua; Su, Zhenpeng; He, Zhaoguo; Yang, Chang; Liu, Si; He, Yihua; Gao, Zhonglei; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 12/2016 YEAR: 2016 DOI: 10.1002/2016GL071728 AKR emissions; Geomagnetic storms; Radiation belts; ray tracing simulations; satellite data; Van Allen Probes |
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Evolution of chorus emissions into plasmaspheric hiss observed by Van Allen Probes The two classes of whistler mode waves (chorus and hiss) play different roles in the dynamics of radiation belt energetic electrons. Chorus can efficiently accelerate energetic electrons, and hiss is responsible for the loss of energetic electrons. Previous studies have proposed that chorus is the source of plasmaspheric hiss, but this still requires an observational confirmation because the previously observed chorus and hiss emissions were not in the same frequency range in the same time. Here we report simultaneous observations form Van Allen Probes that chorus and hiss emissions occurred in the same range \~300\textendash1500 Hz with the peak wave power density about 10-5 nT2/Hz during a weak storm on 3 July 2014. Chorus emissions propagate in a broad region outside the plasmapause. Meanwhile, hiss emissions are confined inside the plasmasphere, with a higher intensity and a broader area at a lower frequency. A sum of bi-Maxwellian distribution is used to model the observed anisotropic electron distributions and to evaluate the instability of waves. A three-dimensional ray tracing simulation shows that a portion of chorus emission outside the plasmasphere can propagate into the plasmasphere and evolve into plasmaspheric hiss. Moreover, hiss waves below 1 kHz are more intense and propagate over a broader area than those above 1 kHz, consistent with the observation. The current results can explain distributions of the observed hiss emission and provide a further support for the mechanism of evolution of chorus into hiss emissions. Zhou, Qinghua; Xiao, Fuliang; Yang, Chang; Liu, Si; He, Yihua; Wygant, J.; Baker, D.; Spence, H.; Reeves, G.; Funsten, H.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 05/2016 YEAR: 2016 DOI: 10.1002/2016JA022366 chorus waves; Plasmaspheric Hiss; RBSP results; Van Allen Probes |
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The Van Allen Probe satellites were near apogee in the late evening local time sector during the 1 June 2013 magnetic storm\textquoterights main phase. About an hour after crossing the ring current\textquoterights \textquotedblleftnose structure\textquotedblright into the plasma sheet, the satellites encountered a quasi-periodic sequence of 0.08 - 3 keV O+ ions. Pitch angle distributions of this population consistently peaked nearly anti-parallel to the local magnetic field. We interpret this population as O+ conics originating in the northern ionosphere. Sequences began as fairly steady state conic fluxes with energies in the ~ 80 to 100 eV range. Over about a half hour build-up phase, O+ energies peaked near 1 keV. During subsequent release phases lasting ~ 20 minutes, O+ energies returned to low-energy starting points. We argue these observations reflect repeated formations and dissolutions of downward, magnetically aligned electric fields (ε||) layers trapping O+ conics between mirror points within heating layers below and electrostatic barriers above [Gorney et al., 1985]. Nearly identical variations were observed at the locations of both satellites during 9 of these 13 conic cycles. Phase differences between cycles were observed at both spacecraft during the remaining events. Most \textquotedblleftbuild-up\textquotedblright to \textquotedblleftrelease\textquotedblright phase transitions coincided with AL index minima. However, in situ magnetometer measurements indicate only weak dipolarizations of tail-like magnetic fields. The lack of field-aligned reflected O+ and tail-like magnetic fields suggest that both ionospheres may be active. However, southern hemisphere origin conics cannot be observed since they would be isotropized and accelerated during neutral sheet crossings. Burke, W.; Erickson, P.; Yang, J.; Foster, J.; Wygant, J.; Reeves, G.; Kletzing, C.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 05/2016 YEAR: 2016 DOI: 10.1002/2015JA021795 |
| 2015 |
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Penetration of magnetosonic waves into the plasmasphere observed by the Van Allen Probes During the small storm on 14\textendash15 April 2014, Van Allen Probe A measured a continuously distinct proton ring distribution and enhanced magnetosonic (MS) waves along its orbit outside the plasmapause. Inside the plasmasphere, strong MS waves were still present but the distinct proton ring distribution was falling steeply with distance. We adopt a sum of subtracted bi-Maxwellian components to model the observed proton ring distribution and simulate the wave trajectory and growth. MS waves at first propagate toward lower L shells outside the plasmasphere, with rapidly increasing path gains related to the continuous proton ring distribution. The waves then gradually cross the plasmapause into the deep plasmasphere, with almost unchanged path gains due to the falling proton ring distribution and higher ambient density. These results present the first report on how MS waves penetrate into the plasmasphere with the aid of the continuous proton ring distributions during weak geomagnetic activities. Xiao, Fuliang; Zhou, Qinghua; He, Yihua; Yang, Chang; Liu, Si; Baker, D.; Spence, H.; Reeves, G.; Funsten, H.; Blake, J.; Published by: Geophysical Research Letters Published on: 09/2015 YEAR: 2015 DOI: 10.1002/2015GL065745 Geomagnetic storms; magnetosonic waves; proton ring distribution; Radiation belts; Van Allen Probe results; Van Allen Probes; Wave-particle interaction |
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We report correlated data on nightside chorus waves and energetic electrons during two small storm periods: 1 November 2012 (Dst≈-45) and 14 January 2013 (Dst≈-18). The Van Allen Probes simultaneously observed strong chorus waves at locations L = 5.8 - 6.3, with a lower frequency band 0.1 - 0.5fce and a peak spectral density \~[10-4 nT2/Hz. In the same period, the fluxes and anisotropy of energetic (\~ 10-300 keV) electrons were greatly enhanced in the interval of large negative interplanetary magnetic field Bz. Using a bi-Maxwellian distribution to model the observed electron distribution, we perform ray tracing simulations to show that nightside chorus waves are indeed produced by the observed electron distribution with a peak growth for a field-aligned propagation around between 0.3fce and 0.4fce, at latitude <7o. Moreover, chorus waves launched with initial normal angles either θ < 90o or >90o propagate along the field either northward or southward, and then bounce back either away from Earth for a lower frequency or towards Earth for higher frequencies. The current results indicate that nightside chorus waves can be excited even during weak geomagnetic activities in cases of continuous injection associated with negative Bz. Moreover, we examine a dayside event during a small storm C on 8 May 2014 (Dst≈-45) and find that the observed anisotropic energetic electron distributions potentially contribute to the generation of dayside chorus waves, but this requires more thorough studies in the future. He, Yihua; Xiao, Fuliang; Zhou, Qinghua; Yang, Chang; Liu, Si; Baker, D.; Kletzing, C.; Kurth, W.; Hospodarsky, G.; Spence, H.; Reeves, G.; Funsten, H.; Blake, J.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 07/2015 YEAR: 2015 DOI: 10.1002/2015JA021376 chorus wave excitation; energetic electrons; Geomagnetic storm; Van Allen Probes; Van Allen probes results; Wave-particle interaction |
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Wave-driven butterfly distribution of Van Allen belt relativistic electrons Van Allen radiation belts consist of relativistic electrons trapped by Earth\textquoterights magnetic field. Trapped electrons often drift azimuthally around Earth and display a butterfly pitch angle distribution of a minimum at 90\textdegree further out than geostationary orbit. This is usually attributed to drift shell splitting resulting from day\textendashnight asymmetry in Earth\textquoterights magnetic field. However, direct observation of a butterfly distribution well inside of geostationary orbit and the origin of this phenomenon have not been provided so far. Here we report high-resolution observation that a unusual butterfly pitch angle distribution of relativistic electrons occurred within 5 Earth radii during the 28 June 2013 geomagnetic storm. Simulation results show that combined acceleration by chorus and magnetosonic waves can successfully explain the electron flux evolution both in the energy and butterfly pitch angle distribution. The current provides a great support for the mechanism of wave-driven butterfly distribution of relativistic electrons. Xiao, Fuliang; Yang, Chang; Su, Zhenpeng; Zhou, Qinghua; He, Zhaoguo; He, Yihua; Baker, D.; Spence, H.; Funsten, H.; Blake, J.; Published by: Nature Communications Published on: 05/2015 YEAR: 2015 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9590 |
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During 18 February to 2 March 2014, the Van Allen Probes encountered multiple geomagnetic storms and simultaneously observed intensified chorus and hiss waves. During this period, there were substantial enhancements in fluxes of energetic (53.8 - 108.3 keV) and relativistic (2 - 3.6 MeV) electrons. Chorus waves were excited at locations L = 4 - 6.2 after the fluxes of energetic were greatly enhanced, with a lower frequency band and wave amplitudes \~ 20 - 100 pT. Strong hiss waves occurred primarily in the main phases or below the location L = 4 in the recovery phases. Relativistic electron fluxes decreased in the main phases due to the adiabatic (e.g., the magnetopause shadowing) or non-adiabatic (hiss-induced scattering) processes. In the recovery phases, relativistic electron fluxes either increased in the presence of enhanced chorus, or remained unchanged in the absence of strong chorus or hiss. The observed relativistic electron phase space density peaked around L* = 4.5, characteristic of local acceleration. This multiple-storm period reveals a typical picture that chorus waves are excited by the energetic electrons at first and then produce efficient acceleration of relativistic electrons. This further demonstrates that the interplay between both competing mechanisms of chorus-driven acceleration and hiss-driven scattering often occurs in the outer radiation belts. Liu, Si; Xiao, Fuliang; Yang, Chang; He, Yihua; Zhou, Qinghua; Kletzing, C.; Kurth, W.; Hospodarsky, G.; Spence, H.; Reeves, G.; Funsten, H.; Blake, J.; Baker, D.; Wygant, J.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 01/2015 YEAR: 2015 DOI: 10.1002/2014JA020781 |
| 2014 |
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Excitation of nightside magnetosonic waves observed by Van Allen Probes During the recovery phase of the geomagnetic storm on 30-31 March 2013, Van Allen Probe A detected enhanced magnetosonic (MS) waves in a broad range of L =1.8-4.7 and MLT =17-22 h, with a frequency range ~10-100 Hz. In the meanwhile, distinct proton ring distributions with peaks at energies of ~10 keV, were also observed in L =3.2-4.6 and L =5.0-5.6. Using a subtracted bi-Maxwellian distribution to model the observed proton ring distribution, we perform three dimensional ray tracing to investigate the instability, propagation and spatial distribution of MS waves. Numerical results show that nightside MS waves are produced by proton ring distribution and grow rapidly from the source location L =5.6 to the location L =5.0, but remain nearly stable at locations L <5.0 Moreover, waves launched toward lower L-shells with different initial azimuthal angles propagate across different MLT regions with divergent paths at first, then gradually turn back toward higher L-shells and propagate across different MLT regions with convergent paths. The current results further reveal that MS waves are generated by a ring distribution of ~10 keV proton and proton ring in one region can contribute to the MS wave power in another region. Zhou, Qinghua; Xiao, Fuliang; Yang, Chang; Liu, Si; Kletzing, C.; Kurth, W.; Hospodarsky, G.; Spence, H.; Reeves, G.; Funsten, H.; Blake, J.; Baker, D.; Wygant, J.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 11/2014 YEAR: 2014 DOI: 10.1002/2014JA020481 magnetosonic wave; RBSP results; Van Allen Probes; Wave-particle interaction |
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An unusual long-lived relativistic electron enhancement event excited by sequential CMEs An unusual long-lived intense relativistic electron enhancement event from July to August 2004 is examined using data from Fengyun-1, POES, GOES, ACE, the Cluster Mission and geomagnetic indices. During the initial 6 days of this event, the observed fluxes in the outer zone enhanced continuously and their maximum increased from 2.1 \texttimes 102 cm-2\textperiodcenteredsr-1\textperiodcentereds-1 to 3.5 \texttimes 104 cm-2\textperiodcenteredsr-1\textperiodcentereds-1, the region of enhanced fluxes extended from L = 3.5-6.5 to L = 2.5-6.5, and the flux peak location shifted inward from L ~ 4.2 to L ~ 3.3. During the following 7 days, without any locational movement, the flux peak increased slowly and exceeded the pre-storm fluxes by about 4 orders of magnitude. Subsequently, the decay rate of relativistic electrons is so slow that the peak remains over 104 cm-2\textperiodcenteredsr-1\textperiodcentereds-1 for about 30 days. The drift-resonance between ULF waves, which arose from high-speed solar wind and frequent impulses of solar wind dynamic pressure, and energetic electrons injected by substorms could be an important acceleration mechanism in this event. The local acceleration by whistler mode chorus could be another mechanism contributing to this enhancement. The plasmaspheric response to the interplanetary disturbances reveals that the enhanced outer zone is divided into two portions by the plasmapause. Accordingly, the slow loss rate in the plasmasphere due to hiss primarily contributed to the long-lived characteristic of this event. This event reveals that the outer zone population behaviors are dominated by the interplanetary variations together with the responses of geomagnetic field and plasmasphere to these variations. Yang, Xiao; Zhu, Guang; Zhang, Xiao; Sun, Yue; Liang, Jin; Wei, Xin; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 10/2014 YEAR: 2014 DOI: 10.1002/2014JA019797 Geomagnetic storm/substorm; Interplanetary magnetic field; Plasmapause; Relativistic electron; Solar wind |
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Chorus acceleration of radiation belt relativistic electrons during March 2013 geomagnetic storm The recent launching of Van Allen probes provides an unprecedent opportunity to investigate variations of the radiation belt relativistic electrons. During the 17\textendash19 March 2013 storm, the Van Allen probes simultaneously detected strong chorus waves and substantial increases in fluxes of relativistic (2 - 4.5 MeV) electrons around L = 4.5. Chorus waves occurred within the lower band 0.1\textendash0.5fce (the electron equatorial gyrofrequency), with a peak spectral density \~10-4 nT2/Hz. Correspondingly, relativistic electron fluxes increased by a factor of 102\textendash103 during the recovery phase compared to the main phase levels. By means of a Gaussian fit to the observed chorus spectra, the drift and bounce-averaged diffusion coefficients are calculated and then used to solve a 2-D Fokker-Planck diffusion equation. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the lower-band chorus waves indeed produce such huge enhancements in relativistic electron fluxes within 15 h, fitting well with the observation. Xiao, Fuliang; Yang, Chang; He, Zhaoguo; Su, Zhenpeng; Zhou, Qinghua; He, Yihua; Kletzing, C.; Kurth, W.; Hospodarsky, G.; Spence, H.; Reeves, G.; Funsten, H.; Blake, J.; Baker, D.; Wygant, J.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 05/2014 YEAR: 2014 DOI: 10.1002/2014JA019822 |
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Testing a two-loop pattern of the substorm current wedge (SCW2L) Recent quantitative testing of the classical (region 1 sense) substorm current wedge (SCI) model revealed systematic discrepancies between the observed and predicted amplitudes, which suggested us to include additional region 2 sense currents (R2 loop) earthward of the dipolarized region (SCW2L model). Here we discuss alternative circuit geometries of the 3-D substorm current system and interpret observations of the magnetic field dipolarizations made between 6.6RE and 11RE, to quantitatively investigate the SCW2L model parameters. During two cases of a dipole-like magnetotail configuration, the dipolarization/injection front fortuitously stopped at r ~ 9RE for the entire duration of ~ 30 min long SCW-related dipolarization within a unique, radially distributed multispacecraft constellation, which allowed us to determine the locations and total currents of both SCW2L loops. In addition, we analyzed the dipolarization amplitudes in events, simultaneously observed at 6.6RE, 11RE and at colatitudes under a wide range of magnetograph conditions. We infer that the ratio I2/I1 varies in the range 0.2 to 0.6 (median value 0.4) and that the equatorial part of the R2 current loop stays at r>6.6RE in the case of a dipole-like field geometry (BZ0>75 nT at 6.6RE prior to the onset), but it is located at r<6.6RE in the case of a stretched magnetic field configuration (with BZ0<60 nT). Since the ground midlatitude perturbations are sensitive to the combined effect of the R1 and R2 sense current loops with the net current roughly equal to I1-I2, the ratio I2/I1 becomes an important issue when attempting to monitor the current disruption intensity from ground observations. Sergeev, V.; Nikolaev, A.; Tsyganenko, N.; Angelopoulos, V.; Runov, A.; Singer, H.; Yang, J.; Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Published on: 02/2014 YEAR: 2014 DOI: 10.1002/2013JA019629 |
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