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Magnetic field pulses produced via whistler mode wave decay in the ionosphere

Journal Article · · Physics of Plasmas
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.872601· OSTI ID:553020
;  [1]
  1. Space and Atmospheric Sciences Group, MS D466, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (United States)
The nonlinear ionospheric effects of very low-frequency (VLF) electromagnetic radiation produced by lightning discharges are considered. Electric and magnetic field measurements by a rocket in the ionosphere reported by Kelly {ital et al.} [Geophys. Res. Lett. {bold 17}, 2221 (1990)] show the simultaneous presence of powerful electromagnetic whistler wave bursts along with electrostatic waves and a magnetic pulse with duration about 20 ms. The parametric decay of whistler mode waves into electrostatic waves and ultralow-frequency (ULF) electromagnetic waves is proposed as a possible explanation for the observed phenomenon. The evolution of whistler mode wave decay instabilities in time and two spatial dimensions is studied. The nonlinear dispersion equation is obtained, and solved numerically. Two-fluid magnetohydrodynamics is used to describe the three-wave interaction. The theoretical results are compared with observational data. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}
OSTI ID:
553020
Journal Information:
Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 4; ISSN 1070-664X; ISSN PHPAEN
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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