Scott Randolph Bounds

Fine structure of large‐amplitude chorus wave packets

Whistler mode chorus waves in the outer Van Allen belt can have consequences for acceleration of relativistic electrons through wave-particle interactions. New multicomponent waveform measurements have been collected by the Van Allen Probes Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Sciences Waves instrument. We detect fine structure of chorus elements with peak instantaneous amplitudes of a few hundred picotesla but exceptionally reaching up to 3 nT, i.e., more than 1% of the background magnetic field. The wave vector direction turns by a few tens of degrees within a single chorus element but also within its subpackets. Our analysis of a significant number of subpackets embedded in rising frequency elements shows that amplitudes of their peaks tend to decrease with frequency. The wave vector is quasi-parallel to the background magnetic field for large-amplitude subpackets, while it turns away from this direction when the amplitudes are weaker.

Solitary potential structures associated with ion and electron beams near 1RE altitude

Small-scale solitary electric potential structures are commonly observed on auroral field lines with the Polar Electric Field Instrument (EFI). This study focuses on observations of solitary structures in the southern hemisphere auroral zone at altitudes between 5500 and 7500 km. Some of the potential structures are similar to those observed previously by the S3-3 and Viking satellites and are inferred to be negative potential pulses traveling upward along the auroral magnetic field lines, associated with upgoing ion beams and upward currents. The velocities of these “ion” solitary potential structures are estimated, using spaced EFI measurements, to be distributed within the range of ∼75 – 300 km s−1. In addition to these structures, a different type of solitary potential structure with.opposite polarity has been observed with faster propagation velocities. These faster structures (termed “electron” solitary potential structures) are distinguishable from the slower, ion solitary structures in that their distinctive bipolar electric field signature, common to both types of solitary structure, is reversed. The ultimate distinction for the electron solitary potential structures is that they are observed on auroral field lines in conjunction with magnetically field-aligned upflowing electron beams. The electron solitary potential structures propagate up the field line in the same direction as the electron beam. An example is shown of the polarity reversal from ion to electron solitary potential structures coincident with a simultaneous shift from upgoing ion beams to upgoing electron beams.

Survey of the frequency dependent latitudinal distribution of the fast magnetosonic wave mode from Van Allen Probes Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument and Integrated Science waveform receiver plasma wave analysis

We present a statistical survey of the latitudinal structure of the fast magnetosonic wave mode detected by the Van Allen Probes spanning the time interval of 21 September 2012 to 1 August 2014. We show that statistically, the latitudinal occurrence of the wave frequency (f) normalized by the local proton cyclotron frequency (f(sub cP)) has a distinct funnel-shaped appearance in latitude about the magnetic equator similar to that found in case studies. By comparing the observed E/B ratios with the model E/B ratio, using the observed plasma density and background magnetic field magnitude as input to the model E/B ratio, we show that this mode is consistent with the extra-ordinary (whistler) mode at wave normal angles (theta(sub k)) near 90 deg. Performing polarization analysis on synthetic waveforms composed from a superposition of extra-ordinary mode plane waves with theta(sub k) randomly chosen between 87 and 90 deg, we show that the uncertainty in the derived wave normal is substantially broadened, with a tail extending down to theta(sub k) of 60 deg, suggesting that another approach is necessary to estimate the true distribution of theta(sub k). We find that the histograms of the synthetically derived ellipticities and theta(sub k) are consistent with the observations of ellipticities and theta(sub k) derived using polarization analysis.We make estimates of the median equatorial theta(sub k) by comparing observed and model ray tracing frequency-dependent probability occurrence with latitude and give preliminary frequency dependent estimates of the equatorial theta(sub k) distribution around noon and 4 R(sub E), with the median of approximately 4 to 7 deg from 90 deg at f/f(sub cP) = 2 and dropping to approximately 0.5 deg from 90 deg at f/f(sub cP) = 30. The occurrence of waves in this mode peaks around noon near the equator at all radial distances, and we find that the overall intensity of these waves increases with AE*, similar to findings of other studies.

Estimates of terms in Ohm's law during an encounter with an electron diffusion region

We present measurements from the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission taken during a reconnection event on the dayside magnetopause which includes a passage through an electron diffusion region ...

Van Allen Probes investigation of the large-scale duskward electric field and its role in ring current formation and plasmasphere erosion in the 1 June 2013 storm

Using the Van Allen Probes, we investigate the enhancement in the large-scale duskward convection electric field during the geomagnetic storm (Dst similar to-120nT) on 1 June 2013 and its role in ring current ion transport and energization and plasmasphere erosion. During this storm, enhancements of similar to 1-2mV/m in the duskward electric field in the corotating frame are observed down to L shells as low as similar to 2.3. A simple model consisting of a dipole magnetic field and constant, azimuthally westward, electric field is used to calculate the earthward and westward drift of 90 degrees pitch angle ions. This model is applied to determine how far earthward ions can drift while remaining on Earths nightside, given the strength and duration of the convection electric field. The calculation based on this simple model indicates that the enhanced duskward electric field is of sufficient intensity and duration to transport ions from a range of initial locations and initial energies characteristic of (though not observed by the Van Allen Probes) the earthward edge of the plasma sheet during active times (L similar to 6-10 and similar to 1-20keV) to the observed location of the 58-267keV ion population, chosen as representative of the ring current (L similar to 3.5-5.8). According to the model calculation, this transportation should be concurrent with an energization to the range observed, similar to 58-267keV. Clear coincidence between the electric field enhancement and both plasmasphere erosion and ring current ion (58-267keV) pressure enhancements are presented. We show for the first time nearly simultaneous enhancements in the duskward convection electric field, plasmasphere erosion, and increased pressure of 58-267keV ring current ions. These 58-267keV ions have energies that are consistent with what they are expected to pick up by gradient B drifting across the electric field. These observations strongly suggest that we are observing the electric field that energizes the ions and produces the erosion of the plasmasphere.

Driving dayside convection with northward IMF: Observations by a sounding rocket launched from Svalbard

The first sounding rocket flight into the dayside cusp with dark ground and northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions was launched from the new SvalRak range at Ny-Alesund in the Svalbard archipelago in early December 1997. Extensive ground observations of auroral emissions and radar backscatter provided contexts for in situ rocket measurements. Real-time interplanetary measurements from the Wind satellite aided launch selection with foreknowledge of impending conditions. NASA rocket flight 36.153 was launched near local magnetic noon while the IMF was dominated by positive B X and had lesser northward B Z and negative B Y components. The rockets westward trajectory carried it toward auroral forms associated with morningside boundary layers. The rich set of vector dc electric and magnetic fields, energetic particles, thermal plasma, plasma waves, and optical emissions gathered by the rocket reveal a complex electrodynamic picture of the cusp/boundary-layer region. Four factors were important in separating temporal and spatial effects: (1) Near the winter solstice the Earths north magnetic pole tilts away from the Sun, (2) at the UT of the flight the dipole axis was rotated toward dawn, (3) the variability of solar wind driving was low, and (4) B X was the dominant IMF component. We conclude that no signatures of dayside merging in the Northern Hemisphere were detected in either the rocket or ground sensors. Electric field variations in the interplanetary medium directly correlate with those observed by the sounding rocket, with significantly shorter lag times than estimated for simple propagation between Wind and the ionosphere. The correlation requires that the observed Northern Hemisphere convection structures were stirred in part by merging of the IMF with closed field lines in the Southern Hemisphere, thereby adding open flux to the northern polar cap. Subsequent motions of adiaroic polar cap boundaries were detected in the rocket electric field measurements. The observations indicate that IMF B X significantly affected the location and timing of merging interactions.

Rocket probe observations of electric field irregularities in the polar summer mesosphere

Electric field wave measurements gathered on a sounding rocket flown in the presence of polar mesospheric summer echoes reveal a distinct layer of irregularities between 83 - 86 km with broadband amplitudes of > 10 mV/m rms. The waves are characterized by bursty, spiky waveforms with lower frequencies (∼ 10 Hz) dominant in the upper portion of the layer near 85 km and broader band emissions, extending to higher frequencies (∼ 1000 Hz) dominant in the lower portion of the layer near 83.5 km. The lower altitudes correspond to a region of weak optical emissions associated with a noctilucent cloud. The waves appear in and around regions where charged/neutral aerosols (1 - 10 nm) and large electron density depletions were observed. The irregularities likely result from a variety of processes including space charge inhomogeneities, mixed neutral and plasma motions, and complex effects associated with charged aerosols of varying sizes.

Tests of collision operators using laboratory measurements of shear Alfven wave dispersion and damping

Measurements of shear Alfven waves are used to test the predictions of a variety of different electron collision operators, including several Krook collision operators as well as a Lorentz collision operator. New expressions for the collisional warm-plasma dielectric tensor resulting from the use of the fully magnetized collisional Boltzmann equation are presented here. Theoretical predictions for the parallel phase velocity and damping as a function of perpendicular wave number k⊥ are derived from the dielectric tensor. Laboratory measurements of the parallel phase velocity and damping of shear Alfven waves were made to test these theoretical predictions in both the kinetic (vte⪢vA) and inertial (vte⪡vA) parameter regimes and at several wave frequencies (ω<ωci). Results show that, in the inertial regime, the best match between measurements and theory occur when any of the Krook operators are used to describe electron collisions. In contrast, the best agreement in the kinetic regime is found when collisio...

Using the cold plasma dispersion relation and whistler mode waves to quantify the antenna sheath impedance of the Van Allen Probes EFW instrument

Cold plasma theory and parallel wave propagation are often assumed when approximating the whistler mode magnetic field wave power from electric field observations. The current study is the first to include the wave normal angle from the Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science package on board the Van Allen Probes in the conversion factor, thus allowing for the accuracy of these assumptions to be quantified. Results indicate that removing the assumption of parallel propagation does not significantly affect calculated plasmaspheric hiss wave powers. Hence, the assumption of parallel propagation is valid. For chorus waves, inclusion of the wave normal angle in the conversion factor leads to significant alterations in the distribution of wave power ratios (observed/ calculated); the percentage of overestimates decreases, the percentage of underestimates increases, and the spread of values is significantly reduced. Calculated plasmaspheric hiss wave powers are, on average, a good estimate of those observed, whereas calculated chorus wave powers are persistently and systematically underestimated. Investigation of wave power ratios (observed/calculated), as a function of frequency and plasma density, reveals a structure consistent with signal attenuation via the formation of a plasma sheath around the Electric Field and Waves spherical double probes instrument. A simple, density-dependent model is developed in order to quantify this effect of variable impedance between the electric field antenna and the plasma interface. This sheath impedance model is then demonstrated to be successful in significantly improving agreement between calculated and observed power spectra and wave powers.

Observations in the E region ionosphere of kappa distribution functions associated with precipitating auroral electrons and discrete aurorae

Precipitating auroral electrons can produce discrete auroral arcs that contain signatures of the magnetospheric auroral source region. Differential number flux observations over two discrete aurorae were obtained by the Auroral Currents and Electrodynamics Structure sounding rocket mission, which successfully launched in 2009. These observations were made at E region altitudes of approximately 130 km. A model of precipitating auroral electrons as described by Evans (1974) was fit to the electron differential number flux obtained by the payloads, and parameters from the model were used to infer properties of the auroral source region. It is shown that the field-aligned precipitating electrons were better fit by a kappa distribution function versus a Maxwellian distribution function for the equatorward side of the first, quasi-stable, auroral arc crossing. The latter half of the first auroral arc crossing and second auroral crossing show that the precipitating electrons were better fit by a Maxwellian distribution function, which provides additional observational confirmation of previous studies. The low-energy electron population determined by the Evans (1974) model was within a factor of 2 of the observed differential number flux. The source region parameters determined from fitting the model to the data were compared with relevant studies from sounding rockets and satellites. Our observations are consistent with the results of Kletzing et al. (2003) that the plasma sheet electrons mapping to auroral zone invariant latitudes are characterized by kappa distribution functions.