Intense electrostatic waves near the upper hybrid resonance frequency. Progress report

Technical Report · Sun Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978

OSTI ID:5857627

Kurth, W S; Craven, J D; Frank, L A; Gurnett, D A

Plasma wave measurements using instruments on the IMP 6 and Hawkeye 1 satellites are utilized in a study of very intense electrostatic waves near the upper hybrid resonance frequency in the region just outside the plasmapause. These intense plasma wave events have electric field strengths of about 1 to 20 mV/m and are among the most intense waves seen in the earth's magnetosphere. Detailed studies of more than 140 of these intense electrostatic disturbances reveal that the events occur at all local times and at magnetic latitudes varying from the equator to as high as 50 deg. The polarization of these waves is such that the wave electric field vector is oriented perpendicular to the geomagnetic field. In most cases the center frequency of the intense waves appears to correspond to an (n + 1/2)f(-)/sub g/harmonic near the upper hybrid resonance frequency. A possible mechanism for producing intense waves near the upper hybrid resonance frequency is suggested which draws upon current theories applied to the generation of (n + 1/2)f(-)/sub g/bands. Evidence is given which suggests the intense electrostatic waves may be a source of nonthermal continuum radiation.

• Research Organization: Iowa Univ., Iowa City (USA). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
• OSTI ID: 5857627
• Report Number(s): AD-A-067612
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BEAM ANALYZERS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTROSTATIC ANALYZERS
GEOMAGNETIC FIELD
HARMONICS
IMP SATELLITES
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOSPHERE
ORIENTATION
OSCILLATIONS
PLASMA WAVES
POLARIZATION
RESONANCE
SATELLITES