Statistical occurrence and distribution of high amplitude whistler-mode waves in the outer radiation belt

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Abstract
We present the first statistical analysis with continuous data coverage and non-averaged amplitudes of the prevalence and distribution of high-amplitude (> 5 mV/m) whistler-mode waves in the outer radiation belt using 5 years of Van Allen Probes data. These waves are most common above L=3.5 and between MLT of 0-7 where they are present 1-4\% of the time. During high geomagnetic activity, high-amplitude whistler-mode wave occurrence rises above 30\% in some regions. During these active times the plasmasphere erodes to lower L and high-amplitude waves are observed at all L outside of it, with the highest occurrence at low L (3.5-4) in the pre-dawn sector. These results have important implications for modeling radiation belt particle interactions with chorus, as large-amplitude waves interact non-linearly with electrons. Results also may provide clues regarding the mechanisms which result in growth to large amplitudes.
Year of Publication
2019
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
Date Published
02/2019
URL
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2019GL082292
DOI
10.1029/2019GL082292
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