Bibliography

Using the cold plasma dispersion relation and whistler-mode waves to quantify the antenna sheath impedance of the Van Allen Probes EFW instrument

Cold plasma theory and parallel wave propagation are often assumed when approximating the whistler mode magnetic field wave power from electric field observations. The current study is the first to include the wave normal angle from the Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science package on board the Van Allen Probes in the conversion factor, thus allowing for the accuracy of these assumptions to be quantified. Results indicate that removing the assumption of parallel propagation does not significantly affect calculated plasmaspheric hiss wave powers. Hence, the assumption of parallel propagation is valid. For chorus waves, inclusion of the wave normal angle in the conversion factor leads to significant alterations in the distribution of wave power ratios (observed/ calculated); the percentage of overestimates decreases, the percentage of underestimates increases, and the spread of values is significantly reduced. Calculated plasmaspheric hiss wave powers are, on average, a good estimate of those observed, whereas calculated chorus wave powers are persistently and systematically underestimated. Investigation of wave power ratios (observed/calculated), as a function of frequency and plasma density, reveals a structure consistent with signal attenuation via the formation of a plasma sheath around the Electric Field and Waves spherical double probes instrument. A simple, density-dependent model is developed in order to quantify this effect of variable impedance between the electric field antenna and the plasma interface. This sheath impedance model is then demonstrated to be successful in significantly improving agreement between calculated and observed power spectra and wave powers.

Hartley, D.; Kletzing, C.; Kurth, W.; Bounds, S.; Averkamp, T.; Hospodarsky, G.; Wygant, J.; Bonnell, J.; ik, O.; Watt, C.;

Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics      Published on: 05/2016

YEAR: 2016     DOI: 10.1002/2016JA022501

EFW; EMFISIS; Plasmaspheric Hiss; sheath impedance; Van Allen Probes; whistler mode chorus

Equivalent Circuit Model for the Electric Field Sensitivity of a Magnetic Search Coil of Space Plasma

Magnetic search coils (MSCs) are sensitive to both magnetic and electric fields, but detecting electric fields is unnecessary for magnetic observations of plasma waves. However, it is important to evaluate both sensitivities for different geometries and electrostatic shields to avoid electric field pickup. An equivalent circuit model for the electric field sensitivity of an MSC in a collisionless isotropic cold plasma is developed here using electrical coupling through a sheath capacitance. That sensitivity is defined by a relationship between the MSC impedance and the sheath capacitance. To confirm the validity of the circuit model, the sensitivity to an electric field is measured by imposing an external electric field using charged parallel metallic plates in laboratory experiments. The coupling capacitance between the MSC and the charged plates is equivalent to the sheath capacitance in a space plasma. The measured results show good agreement with an approximate expression deduced from the equivalent circuit model.

Ozaki, Mitsunori; Yagitani, Satoshi; Takahashi, Ken; Imachi, Tomohiko; Koji, Hiroki; Higashi, Ryoichi;

Published by: IEEE Sensors Journal      Published on: 10/2014

YEAR: 2014     DOI: 10.1109/JSEN.2014.2365495

electric field sensitivity; Magnetic search coils; sheath impedance; space plasmas