Comparison of intense electrostatic waves near f/sub UHR/ with linear instability theory

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL006i006p00487· OSTI ID:6093176

Kurth, W S; Frank, L A; Gurnett, D A; Burek, B G; Ashour-Abdalla, M; Kennel, C F; Sentman, D D

Intense electrostatic waves beyond the plasmapause have recently been identified at frequencies near the upper hybrid resonance frequency. In addition, the waves occur within a band at an odd, half-harmonic of the local electron gyrofrequency. These bands of electrostatic turbulence are among the most intense waves detected within the earth's magnetosphere. Measurements obtained with the ISEE 1 plasma wave receiver show that the intense waves appear to be intensifications of an electrostatic cyclotron harmonic band near the upper hybrid resonance frequency. A straightforward explanation of intense waves at the upper hybrid resonance frequency exists in the electrostatic multi-cyclotron emission theory. For a broad range of plasma parameters nonconvective instability or large spatial growth rates occur within the cyclotron band encompassing the cold upper hybrid frequency. Comparison of spatial growth rate spectra with measured wave spectra shows that there is excellent qualitative agreement between the linear theory and the observed wave characteristics.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
• OSTI ID: 6093176
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 6:6; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CYCLOTRON FREQUENCY
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
GYROFREQUENCY
HARMONICS
HYBRID RESONANCE
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
MAGNETOSPHERE
OSCILLATIONS
PLASMA WAVES
RESONANCE