Eun-Hwa Kim

Mode conversion of Langmuir to electromagnetic waves at magnetic field-aligned density inhomogeneities: Simulations, theory, and applications to the solar wind and the corona

Linear mode conversion of Langmuir waves to radiation near the plasma frequency at density gradients is potentially relevant to multiple solar radio emissions, ionospheric radar experiments, laboratory plasma devices, and pulsars. Here we study mode conversion in warm magnetized plasmas using a numerical electron fluid simulation code with the density gradient parallel to the ambient magnetic field B0 for a range of incident Langmuir wavevectors. Our results include: (1) both o- and x-mode waves are produced for Ω=(ωL∕c)1∕3(ωc∕ω)≲1, contrary to previous ideas. Only the o mode is produced for Ω≳1.5. Here ωc is the (angular) electron cyclotron frequency, ω is the angular wave frequency, L is the length scale of the (linear) density gradient, and c is the speed of light. A WKB-style analysis accounts semiquantitatively for the production and relative conversion efficiencies of the o and x modes in the simulations. (2) In the unmagnetized limit, equal amounts of o- and x-mode radiation are produced. (3) The m...

Interpreting ~1 Hz magnetic compressional waves in Mercury's inner magnetosphere in terms of propagating ion-Bernstein waves

We show that ~1 Hz magnetic compressional waves observed in Mercurys inner magnetosphere could be interpreted as ion-Bernstein waves in a moderate proton beta ~0.1 plasma. An observation of a proton distribution with a large planetary loss cone is presented, and we show that this type of distribution is highly unstable to the generation of ion-Bernstein waves with low magnetic compression. Ray tracing shows that as these waves propagate back and forth about the magnetic equator; they cycle between a state of low and high magnetic compression. The group velocity decreases during the high-compression state leading to a pileup of compressional wave energy, which could explain the observed dominance of the highly compressional waves. This bimodal nature is due to the complexity of the index of refraction surface in a warm plasma whose upper branch has high growth rate with low compression, and its lower branch has low growth/damping rate with strong compression. Two different cycles are found: one where the compression maximum occurs at the magnetic equator and one where the compression maximum straddles the magnetic equator. The later cycle could explain observations where the maximum in compression straddles the equator. Ray tracing shows that this mode is confined within ±12° magnetic latitude which can account for the bulk of the observations. We show that the Doppler shift can account for the difference between the observed and model wave frequency, if the wave vector direction is in opposition to the plasma flow direction. We note that the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin approximation breaks down during the pileup of compressional energy and that a study involving full wave solutions is required.

Linear mode conversion of Langmuir/z-mode waves to radiation: Scalings of conversion efficiencies and propagation angles with temperature and magnetic field orientation

Linear mode conversion (LMC) is the linear transfer of energy from one wave mode to another in an inhomogeneous plasma. It is relevant to laboratory plasmas and multiple solar system radio emissions, such as continuum radiation from planetary magnetospheres and type II and III radio bursts from the solar corona and solar wind. This paper simulates LMC of waves defined by warm, magnetized fluid theory, specifically the conversion of Langmuir/z-mode waves to electromagnetic (EM) radiation. The primary focus is the calculation of the energy and power conversion efficiencies for LMC as functions of the angle of incidence θ of the Langmuir/z-mode wave, temperature β=Te/mec2, adiabatic index γ, and orientation angle ϕ between the ambient density gradient ∇N0 and ambient magnetic field B0 in a warm, unmagnetized plasma. The ratio of these efficiencies is found to agree well as a function of θ, γ, and β with an analytical relation that depends on the group speeds of the Langmuir/z and EM wave modes. The results d...

Inferring magnetospheric heavy ion density using EMIC waves

We present a method to infer heavy ion concentration ratios from EMIC wave observations that result from ionion hybrid (IIH) resonance. A key feature of the ion-ion hybrid resonance is the concentration of wave energy in a field-aligned resonant mode that exhibits linear polarization. This mode converted wave is localized at the location where the frequency of a compressional wave driver matches the IIH resonance condition, which depends sensitively on the heavy ion concentration. This dependence makes it possible to estimate the heavy ion concentration ratio. In this letter, we evaluate the absorption coefficients at the IIH resonance at Earths geosynchronous orbit for variable concentrations of He+ and field-aligned wave numbers using a dipole magnetic field. Although wave absorption occurs for a wide range of heavy ion concentrations, it only occurs for a limited range of field-aligned wave numbers such that the IIH resonance frequency is close to, but not exactly the same as the crossover frequency. Using the wave absorption and observed EMIC waves from GOES-12 satellite, we demonstrate how this technique can be used to estimate that the He+ concentration is around 4% near L = 6.6.

Conversion of ordinary and extraordinary waves into upper hybrid waves in inhomogeneous plasmas

Linear mode conversion of ordinary and extraordinary waves into upper hybrid waves has been investigated by adopting a time-dependent numerical model. In order to solve the wave equations as an initial-valued problem, the finite difference method is used in both time and space. It is examined how wave coupling occurs in a cold magnetized plasma, where inhomogeneity lies perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field, by analyzing time histories of both electric and magnetic field components. The results show that electromagnetic energy of ordinary and extraordinary waves is transferred into electrostatic energy when the resonant condition at upper hybrid resonances is satisfied.

Linear mode conversion of Langmuir/z mode waves to radiation: Averaged energy conversion efficiencies, polarization, and applications to Earth's continuum radiation

Linear mode conversion (LMC) is the linear transfer of energy from one wave mode to another in a density gradient. It is relevant to planetary continuum radiation, type II and III radio bursts, and ionospheric radio emissions. This paper analyzes LMC by calculating angle-averaged energy (e) and power (ep) conversion efficiencies in both 2-D and 3-D for Langmuir/z mode waves (including upper hybrid waves for perpendicular wave vectors) converting to free-space radiation in turbulent plasmas. The averages are over the distributions of the incoming Langmuir/z mode wave vectors k, density scale lengths L, and angles α and δ, where α is the angle between k and the background magnetic field B0 and δ is the angle between the density gradient ∇N0 and B0. The results show that the averaged and unaveraged conversion efficiencies are dependent on γβ, where γ is the adiabatic index and β is related to the electron temperature Te by β = Te/mec2. The averaged energy conversion efficiencies are proportional to γβ in 2-D and to (γβ)3/2 in 3-D, whereas the power conversion efficiencies are proportional to (γβ)1/2 in 2-D and γβ in 3-D. The special case of a perpendicular density gradient (δ≈90°) is considered and used to predict the conversion efficiencies of terrestrial continuum radiation (TCR) in three known source regions: the plasmapause, magnetopause, and the plasma sheet. The observed energy conversion efficiencies are estimated and are found to be consistent with the 2-D and 3-D predicted efficiencies; importantly, these results imply that LMC is a possible generation mechanism for TCR. The polarization of TCR is also predicted: TCR should be produced primarily in the o mode at the plasmapause and in both the o and x modes at the magnetopause and plasma sheet. These predictions are consistent with previous independent predictions and observations.

Waves in Space Plasmas

Applications of linear mode conversion at Alfven/ion‐ion hybrid resonances and at electron plasma frequency have been discussed. Alfven resonances play an important role on energy transport the outer to inner regions of magnetospheres. At Earth’s magnetopause, the mode‐converted kinetic Alfven waves also lead to solar wind particle entry and transverse ion heating. IIH resonant waves can explain of the generation of linearly polarized EMIC waves at Earth. Compressional waves can also interact with Mercury’s magnetosphere exciting IIH resonances as global eigenmodes. Linear mode conversion (LMC) from Langmuir to electromagnetic waves is relevant to explain type II and III radio bursts. Through the LMC, both right‐ and left‐hand polarized wave modes are produced and it provides the solutions for linear/partial polarized type II and III problems.

Theoretical Studies of Plasma Wave Coupling: A New Approach

New numerical and analytical methods are applied to wave coupling in inhomogeneous plasma. It is found that the X-mode feeds energy into the upper hybrid resonance at plasma inhomogeneities oriented perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field. The results are consistent with previous studies using other methods. When a finite pressure is introduced, the upper hybrid waves are no longer stationary and start propagating. They can form cavity modes and emit a small fraction of O (or X) waves. Limitations of the present study are the neglect of collisions and plasma pressure effects which might limit the growth of the upper hybrid waves; furthermore, this study concentrates on the case for which the density gradient is perpendicular to the magnetic field, a condition that is valid near the equator.

Estimation of Heavy Ion Densities From Linearly Polarized EMIC Waves At Earth

Linearly polarized EMIC waves are expected to concentrate at the location where their wave frequency satisfies the ion-ion hybrid (IIH) resonance condition as the result of a mode conversion process. In this letter, we evaluate absorption coefficients at the IIH resonance in the Earth geosynchronous orbit for variable concentrations of helium and azimuthal and field-aligned wave numbers in dipole magnetic field. Although wave absorption occurs for a wide range of heavy ion concentration, it only occurs for a limited range of azimuthal and field-aligned wave numbers such that the IIH resonance frequency is close to, but not exactly the same as the crossover frequency. Our results suggest that, at L = 6.6, linearly polarized EMIC waves can be generated via mode conversion from the compressional waves near the crossover frequency. Consequently, the heavy ion concentration ratio can be estimated from observations of externally generated EMIC waves that have polarization.

Mode Conversion of Langmuir to Electromagnetic Waves with Parallel Inhomogeneity in the Solar Wind and the Corona

Linear mode conversion of Langmuir waves to radiation near the plasma frequency at density gradients is potentially relevant to multiple solar radio emissions, ionospheric radar experiments, laboratory plasma devices, and pulsars. Here we study mode conversion in warm magnetized plasmas using a numerical electron fluid simulation code with the density gradient parallel to the ambient magnetic field B0 for a range of incident Langmuir wavevectors. Our results include: (1) Both o- and x-mode waves are produced for Ω ∝ (ωL)1/3(ωc/ω) somewhat less than 1, contrary to previous ideas. Only o mode is produced for Ω and somewhat greater than 1.5. Here ωc is the (angular) electron cyclotron frequency, ω the angular wave frequency, and L the length scale of the (linear) density gradient. (2) In the unmagnetized limit, equal amounts of o- and x-mode radiation are produced. (3) The mode conversion window narrows as Ω increases. (4) As Ω increases the total electromagnetic field changes from linear to circular polarization, with the o- and x- mode signals remaining circularly polarized. (5) The conversion efficiency to the x mode decreases monotonically as Ω increases while the o-mode conversion efficiency oscillates due to an interference phenomenon between incoming and reflected Langmuir/z modes. (6) The total conversion efficiency for wave energy from the Langmuir/z mode to radiation is typically less than 10%, but the corresponding power efficiencies differ by the ratio of the group speeds for each mode and are of order 50 − 70%. (7) The interference effect and the disappearance of the x mode at Ω somewhat greater than 1 can be accounted for semiquantitatively using a WKB-like analysis. (8) Constraints on density turbulence are developed for the x mode to be generated and be able to propagate from the source. (9) Standard parameters for the corona and the solar wind near 1 AU suggest that linear mode conversion should produce both o- and x- mode radiation for solar and interplanetary radio bursts. It is therefore possible that linear mode conversion under these conditions might explain the weak total circular polarizations of type II and III solar radio bursts.