The generation of electron cyclotron waves in the magnetosphere and the turbulence diffusion of outer belt electrons
Generation of electron cyclotron waves in magnetosphere and turbulent diffusion of outer belt electrons
TRAPPED RADIATION↗
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Turbulence and wave particle interactions in solar-terrestrial plasmas
Activities in the following study areas are reported: (1) particle and wave processes in solar flares; (2) solar convection zone turbulence; and (3) solar radiation emission. To investigate the amplification of cyclotron maser radiation in solar flares, a radio frequency. (RF) heating model was developed for the corona surrounding the energy release site. Then nonlinear simulations of compressible convection display prominent penetration by plumes into regions of stable stratification at the base of the solar convection zone, leading to the excitation of internal gravity waves there. Lastly, linear saturation of electron-beam-driven Langmuir waves by ambient density fluctuations, nonlinear saturation by strong turbulence processes, and radiation emission mechanisms are examined. An additional section discusses solar magnetic fields and hydromagnetic waves in inhomogeneous media, and the effect of magnetic fields on stellar oscillation.
Dulk, G. A.↗
Radiofrequency radiation and particle acceleration from solar flare filaments due to collective motion at multiples of the cyclotron frequency
Radiofrequency radiation and particle acceleration from solar flare filaments due to rotational collective motion of electrons or ions
PARTICLE ACCELERATION↗
Dynamic effects on cyclotron scattering in pulsar accretion columns
A resonant scattering model for photon reprocessing in a pulsar accretion column is presented. The accretion column is optically thin to Thomson scattering and optically thick to resonant scattering at the cyclotron frequency. Radiation from the neutron star surface propagates freely through the column until the photon energy equals the local cyclotron frequency, at which point the radiation is scattered, much of it back toward the star. The radiation pressure in this regime is insufficient to stop the infall. Some of the scattered radiation heats the stellar surface around the base of the column, which adds a softer component to the spectrum. The partial blocking by the accretion column of X-rays from the surface produces a fan beam emission pattern. X-rays above the surface cyclotron frequency freely escape and are characterized by a pencil beam. Gravitational light bending produces a pencil beam pattern of column-scattered radiation in the antipodal direction, resulting in a strongly angle-dependent cyclotron feature.
Brainerd, J. J.↗
Unstable magnetosonic waves in a relativistic plasma.
Magnetosonic wave effect on anisotropic relativistic plasma component, obtaining cosmic ray plasma instability when wave frequencies are less than electron cyclotron frequency
ANISOTROPY↗
Plasma waves in planetary magnetospheres
Research conducted within the last four years on plasma waves in the terrestrial magnetosphere as well as those of Jupiter and Saturn is reviewed. Studies aimed at the characterization of plasma wave emissions in the earth's magnetosheath and magnetopause are considered, together with investigations of the characteristics and mechanisms of electron cyclotron harmonic and upper hybrid resonance waves, nonthermal continuum radiation, auroral kilometric radiation, chorus, hiss and whistler-mode turbulence, whistlers, power line radiation, ion cyclotron waves, an ionospheric irregularities and instabilities. Experimental studies based on the injection of waves or plasma into the ionosphere and plasma waves in the laboratory are also examined. In situ Voyager data and radio astronomical observations of Jupiter are discussed as they relate to the plasma waves detected in the Jovian mgnetosheath and magnetopause, outer and inner magnetosphere and magnetotail, as well as the Jovian radio emission. In the case of Saturn, particular attention is given to the emissions observed during the Voyager encounter with the planet, its rings and Titan.
Anderson, R. R.↗
Magnetospheric plasma wave research 1975-1978
Research conducted from 1975 through 1978 on magnetospheric plasma waves generated in or passing through the magnetospheres of the earth and Jupiter is reviewed. Attention is given to bow shock whistlers and electrostatic waves, electromagnetic wave packets in the magnetosheath ('lion roars'), nonthermal continuum radiation apparently associated with energetic electrons in the outer radiation zone, electrostatic and magnetic noise and PI2 pulsations in the magnetotail and plasma sheet and polar cusp phenomena. Plasma waves in the auroral zone, including VLF hiss and saucers, electrostatic wave turbulence and kilometric radiation are treated, together with MHD waves and magnetic pulsations, ion cyclotron waves, VLF chorus and hiss and electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic radiation in and beyond plasmapause, plasmaspheric hiss, whistlers, power line harmonic radiation and controlled wave generation experiments. Observations of plasmasphere and auroral zone phenomena in the ionosphere are discussed, and escaping and trapped plasma waves in the magnetospheres of Jupiter and other planets are considered. Planned future magnetospheric research for the next four years is outlined.
Shawhan, S. D.↗
Observations of Radiation Belt Losses Due to Cyclotron Wave-Particle Interactions
Electron loss to the atmosphere plays a critical role in driving dynamics of the Earth’s Van Allen radiation belts and slot region. This is a review of atmospheric loss of radiation belt electrons caused by plasma wave scattering via Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance. In particular, the focus is on observational signatures of electron loss, which include direct measurements of precipitating electrons, measured properties of waves that drive precipitation, and variations in the trapped population resulting from loss. We discuss wave and precipitation measurements from recent missions, including simultaneous multi-payload observations, which have provided new insight into the dynamic nature of the radiation belts.
Blum, Lauren W.↗
Cyclotron maser emission of auroral Z mode radiation
Results are presented suggesting that loss cone driven cyclotron maser emission by upgoing electrons, closely analogous to auroral kilometric radiation (AKR), may be the mechanism behind the observed Z mode radiation. With this hypothesis, the lack of a strong correlation between the Z mode radiation and AKR is not surprising; the ray paths for the X mode and the Z mode are markedly different, with the former directed upward and the latter downward. In addition, it is expected that the generation of the Z mode will be favored only in regions where the ratio of the plasma frequency to the electron cyclotron frequency is greater than or approximately equal to 0.3, that is, where the X mode radiation is suppressed. If the fraction of the radiation generated that crosses the cyclotron layer is large, then the argument in favor of the loss cone driven cyclotron maser as the source of the observed Z mode radiation is a strong one. The spatial growth rates are fairly large in comparison with those for the X mode, and there seems to be little doubt that Z mode radiation should be generated under conditions that differ only slightly from those for the generation of X mode radiation in AKR.
Melrose, D. B.↗
A model for the frequency fine structure of auroral kilometric radiation
A model for AKR frequency fine structure in which the fine structure is a natural consequence of the emission of electron cyclotron maser radiation in a nonuniform magnetic field is presented. The model is examined by using 1D electromagnetic particle-in-cell simulations. It is found that maser radiation is emitted as individual wave packets combine to form the drifting emission features that make up the fine structure. Rising frequency drifts are associated with wave packets emitted independently of one another. Wave packets that interact with one another produce features with falling frequency drift. The emission features produced have a large spread in both positive and negative frequency drift rates. The average positive drift rate of rapidly drifting features is found to be approximately proportional to the maser growth rate.
Mckean, M. E.↗
Flare stars and solar bursts - High resolution in time and frequency
Coronal loops on the sun and nearby stars are studied using observations at 20-cm wavelength with high resolution in time and frequency. Observations of the dwarf M star AD Leonis with high time resolution led to the discovery of a quasi-periodic train of circularly polarized spikes with a mean periodicity of 32 + or - 5 ms and a total duration of 150 ms. Observations at closely spaced wavelengths using the VLA revealed a narrow-band structure in solar bursts and in the slowly varying radiation of the dwarf M star YZ Canis Minoris. This narrow-band emission may be attributed to electron-cyclotron maser radiation. Maser action at the second or first harmonic of the gyrofrequency implies magnetic field strengths of 250 and 500 G, respectively. Hence, observations with high resolution in time and frequency suggest coherent processs in the coronas of the sun and dwarf M stars. It is noted that the scientific potential suggested by the present data can be realized by the development of a solar-stellar synthesis radiotelescope. This instrument would be dedicated to solar and stellar observations with high angular, temporal, and frequency resolution.
Lang, K. R.↗
DE-1 observations of hole electron distribution functions and the cyclotron maser resonance
The hole electron distribution functions observed by the DE-1 satellite within inverted-V events at altitudes of between 9000 km and 15,000 km are examined as a possible free energy source for exciting Z-mode radiation through cyclotron maser resonance. In the DE-1 observations the hole distribution function had center velocities varying between 8000 km/s and 20,000 km/s, with the radii varying between 2000 km/s and 10,000 km/s. The observed distribution function is fitted by an exponential function around the center of the hole, and is used to calculate growth rates of Z-mode radiation. Growth rates as high as 0.001 of the electron gyrofrequency are obtained. It is also shown that the observed hole distribution functions can excite Z-mode radiation at wave frequencies slightly above the gyrofrequency, and wave propagation angles slightly below 90 deg in the source region. The results suggest that the hole distribution function could provide additional amplification for Z-mode waves in the auroral zone.
Lin, C. S.↗
On the elliptical polarization of Jupiter's decametric radio emission
The origin of the 100 percent elliptical polarization of Jupiter's decametric radio emission is investigated. The transfer of polarized radiation when coupling of the Stokes parameters is important is studied, and it is found, in agreement with earlier authors, that the density in and near the source region must be so low that the polarization remains fixed along the ray path. The polarization of the cyclotron maser radiation in these circumstances is determined, and it is found that the dispersion relation of the rarefied plasma composed of energetic, anisotropic electrons is like that in the vacuum. It is also found that the growth rate is sufficient to saturate the maser and account for the observed brightness temperature. Possible sources of plasma in and near the source region in Jupiter's inner, polar magnetosphere are considered.
Melrose, D. B.↗
The complete polarization state of Io-related radio storms from Jupiter: A statistical study
We report on the complete polarization state (four Stokes parameters) as a function of both frequency and time, of Io-related radiation from Jupiter as observed with the spectropolarimeter at Nancay, France. Our observations include 37 radio storms, with events of both lefthand (LH) and righthand (RH) elliptical polarization and from all Io-related sources (A,B,C and D), plus two non-Io events. The high degree of circular polarization often observed, particularly for LH emission, is difficult to explain in terms of the standard theory of cyclotron maser radiation. The interpretation of the observations in terms of the locations of the sources in Jupiter's magnetosphere is the subject of a companion paper.
Dulk, G. A.↗
Asymmetrical stop zones in Jupiter's exosphere.
Radio noise bursts from Jupiter at decameter wavelengths noting Cerenkov emission, Doppler- shifter cyclotron emission and escaped-whistler models
JUPITER /PLANET/↗
Storm time instabilities of the ring current.
Demonstration that the resonant cyclotron instability between radiation belt protons and ion-cyclotron waves can account for many observed features of the magnetospheric ring current. Analogous results apply to the electron-whistler interaction although the former are not considered to be important for ring current energetics. Particles with energy exceeding 100 keV are readily destabilized throughout the entire magnetosphere and their fluxes are consequently limited to the stably trapped levels described by Kennel and Petschek (1966). However, at the dominant ring current energies between 10 and 100 keV, a broad zone of stability exists in the region just outside the plasmapause. Particles injected into this outer zone during substorms may remain trapped for many drift orbits allowing an intense ring current to develop. In direct contrast, this stable ring current zone is bounded by regions of rapid precipitational loss within the plasmasphere and at large radial distance in the auroral zone.
Thorne, R. M.↗
Basic research in solar physics
This grant, dating back more than 20 years has supported a variety of investigations of the chromospheres and coronae of the Sun and related cool stars by the Principal Investigator, his postdocs and graduate students, and colleagues at other institutions. This work involved studies of radiative transfer and spectral line formation theory, and the application of these techniques to the analysis of spectra obtained from space and ground-based observatories in the optical, ultraviolet, x-ray and radio portions of the spectrum. Space observations have included the analysis of spectra from OSO-7, Skylab, SMM, and the HRTS rocket experiments. Recent work has concentrated on the interaction of magnetic fields, plasma and radiation in the outer atmospheres of the Sun and other magnetically active stars with different fundamental parameters. Our study of phenomena common to the Sun and stars, the 'solar-stellar connection', can elucidate the fundamental physics, because spatially-resolved observations of the Sun provide us with the 'groundtruth,' while interpretation of stellar data permit us to isolate those parameters critical to stellar activity. Recently, we have studied the differences in physical properties between solar regions of high magnetic flux density and the surrounding plasma. High-resolution CN and CO spectroheliograms have been used to model the thermal inhomogeneities driven by unstable CO cooling, and we have analyzed spatially resolved UV spectra from HRTS to model the thermal structure and energy balance of small-scale structures. The study of nonlinear relations between atmospheric radiative losses and the photospheric magnetic flux density has been continued. We have also proposed a new model for the decay of plages by random walk diffusion of magnetic flux. Our analysis of phenomena common to the Sun and stars included the application of available spectroscopic diagnostics, establishing evidence that the atmospheres of the least active stars are heated at a 'basal' rate that is also found in the centers of solar supergranules, and using the Doppler-imaging technique to measure the position, size, and brightness of stellar active regions. We are computing multi-component models for solar and stellar atmospheres, and models for coronal loops and for the transition-region down flows. The study of solar and stellar flares permits us to assess the role of turbulent energy transport, to pinpoint the mechanism behind Type I radio bursts, to determine whether plasma radiation or cyclotron maser is responsible for microwave flares on M dwarfs, and to extend our knowledge of the basic physics pertinent to cyclotron-maser processes operating on the Sun.
Linsky, Jeffrey L.↗
Planetary plasma waves
The primary types of plasma waves observed in the vicinity of the planets Venus, Mars, Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are described. The observations are organized according to the various types of plasma waves observed, ordered according to decreasing distance from the planet, starting from the sunward side of the planet, and ending in the region near the closest approach. The plasma waves observed include: electron plasma oscillations and ion acoustic waves; trapped continuum radiation; electron cyclotron and upper hybrid waves; whistler-mode emissions; electrostatic ion cyclotron waves; and electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves.
Gurnett, Donald A.↗