Full-wave modeling of EMIC wave packets: ducted propagation and reflected waves

0578074 - ÚFA 2024 RIV CH eng J - Journal Article
Hanzelka, Miroslav - Li, W. - Ma, Q. - Qin, M. - Shen, X. - Capannolo, L. - Gan, L.
Full-wave modeling of EMIC wave packets: ducted propagation and reflected waves.
Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences. Roč. 10, Oct. (2023), č. článku 1251563. E-ISSN 2296-987X
Institutional support: RVO:68378289
Keywords : EMIC waves * wave propagation properties * full-wave simulation * mode conversion * ducted waves * reflected waves * cold plasma * Earth's inner magnetosphere Frontiers
OECD category: Fluids and plasma physics (including surface physics)
Impact factor: 3, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Open access
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2023.1251563/full

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves can scatter radiation belt electrons with energies of a few hundred keV and higher. To accurately predict this scattering and the resulting precipitation of these relativistic electrons on short time scales, we need detailed knowledge of the wave field's spatio-temporal evolution, which cannot be obtained from single spacecraft measurements. Our study presents EMIC wave models obtained from two-dimensional (2D) finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations in the Earth's dipole magnetic field. We study cases of hydrogen band and helium band wave propagation, rising-tone emissions, packets with amplitude modulations, and ducted waves. We analyze the wave propagation properties in the time domain, enabling comparison with in situ observations. We show that cold plasma density gradients can keep the wave vector quasiparallel, guide the wave energy efficiently, and have a profound effect on mode conversion and reflections. The wave normal angle of unducted waves increases rapidly with latitude, resulting in reflection on the ion hybrid frequency, which prohibits propagation to low altitudes. The modeled wave fields can serve as an input for test-particle analysis of scattering and precipitation of relativistic electrons and energetic ions.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0347106