Zeren Zhima

First observation of rising‐tone magnetosonic waves

Magnetosonic (MS) waves are linearly polarized emissions confined near the magnetic equator with wave normal angle near 90° and frequency below the lower hybrid frequency. Such waves, also termed equatorial noise, were traditionally known to be “temporally continuous” in their time-frequency spectrogram. Here we show for the first time that MS waves actually have discrete wave elements with rising-tone features in their spectrogram. The frequency sweep rate of MS waves, ~1 Hz/s, is between that of chorus and electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves. For the two events we analyzed, MS waves occur outside the plasmapause and cannot penetrate into the plasmasphere; their power is smaller than that of chorus. We suggest that the rising-tone feature of MS waves is a consequence of nonlinear wave-particle interaction, as is the case with chorus and EMIC waves.

Whistler‐mode waves inside flux pileup region: Structured or unstructured?

During reconnection, a flux pileup region (FPR) is formed behind a dipolarization front in an outflow jet. Inside the FPR, the magnetic field magnitude and Bz component increase and the whistler-mode waves are observed frequently. As the FPR convects toward the Earth during substorms, it is obstructed by the dipolar geomagnetic field to form a near-Earth FPR. Unlike the structureless emissions inside the tail FPR, we find that the whistler-mode waves inside the near-Earth FPR can exhibit a discrete structure similar to chorus. Both upper band and lower band chorus are observed, with the upper band having a larger propagation angle (and smaller wave amplitude) than the lower band. Most chorus elements we observed are “rising-tone” type, but some are “falling-tone” type. We notice that the rising-tone chorus can evolve into falling-tone chorus within <3 s. One of the factors that may explain why the waves are unstructured inside the tail FPR but become discrete inside the near-Earth FPR is the spatial inhomogeneity of magnetic field: we find that such inhomogeneity is small inside the near-Earth FPR but large inside the tail FPR.

Generation of magnetosonic waves over a continuous spectrum

Magnetosonic waves, also known as equatorial noise emission, were found to have discrete frequency structures, which is consistent with instability caused by proton ring distribution. Nonetheless, nondiscrete structure, i.e., a broadband spectrum over a continuous frequency range, has been reported. We investigate the question whether proton ring distribution can generate nondiscrete spectra for perpendicularly propagating magnetosonic waves. We propose discrete and nondiscrete characteristics of the local instability for explaining the observation of discrete, continuous, and mixed spectra. The criterion for transition from discrete and continuous instability is given, γ >∼ Ωh/2, where γ is wave growth rate and Ωh is proton cyclotron frequency. The condition is verified by particle-in-cell simulation using more realistic electron-to-proton mass ratio and speed of light than in previous studies. Such criterion of generating a continuous spectrum can be tested against simultaneous in situ measurement of wave and particle. We also find that the modes at low Ωh harmonics, including the fundamental Ωh, can be still excited through nonlinear wave-wave coupling, even when they are neutral modes (γ = 0) according to the linear kinetic theory. Comparison with magnetosonic waves in cold plasma limit and electromagnetic ion Bernstein mode is also discussed.

Observations of discrete magnetosonic waves off the magnetic equator

Fast mode magnetosonic waves are typically confined close to the magnetic equator and exhibit harmonic structures at multiples of the local, equatorial proton cyclotron frequency. We report observations of magnetosonic waves well off the equator at geomagnetic latitudes from −16.5°to −17.9° and L shell ~2.7–4.6. The observed waves exhibit discrete spectral structures with multiple frequency spacings. The predominant frequency spacings are ~6 and 9 Hz, neither of which is equal to the local proton cyclotron frequency. Backward ray tracing simulations show that the feature of multiple frequency spacings is caused by propagation from two spatially narrow equatorial source regions located at L ≈ 4.2 and 3.7. The equatorial proton cyclotron frequencies at those two locations match the two observed frequency spacings. Our analysis provides the first observations of the harmonic nature of magnetosonic waves well away from the equatorial region and suggests that the propagation from multiple equatorial sources contributes to these off-equatorial magnetosonic emissions with varying frequency spacings.

Storm time evolution of ELF/VLF waves observed by DEMETER satellite

In this paper, using the data of Sun-synchronous satellite (Detection of Electro-Magnetic Waves Transmitted from Earthquake Regions) DEMETER, we investigated the storm time variations of ELF/VLF waves during the intense coronal mass ejections (CME)-driven storms from 2005 to 2009. The results show that there is a good correlation between the enhancement of ELF/VLF waves and the CME events. Immidately following the enhanced wave activity driven by CMEs at the initial phase, the wave intensity decreases temporarily at the beginning of storm main phase. The strongest waves predominantly occur from the late main phase to early recovery phase. The ELF waves below 3 kHz are significantly intensified during the whole storm time, while the high-frequency waves above 3 kHz seem strengthened predominantly during the late main and early recovery phase. The ELF waves below 3 kHz can exist in a wide L shell range, with the intensity peaking at L ~ 3 and 4. High-frequency waves at f > 9 kHz exist mostly outside the plasmapause. The stronger ELF/VLF waves on the dayside can last longer time than those on the nightside.

Source of the low‐altitude hiss in the ionosphere

We analyze the propagation properties of low-altitude hiss emission in the ionosphere observed by DEMETER (Detection of Electromagnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earthquake Regions). There exist two types of low-altitude hiss: type I emission at high latitude is characterized by vertically downward propagation and broadband spectra, while type II emission at low latitude is featured with equatorward propagation and a narrower frequency band above ∼f cH+. Our ray tracing simulation demonstrates that both types of the low-altitude hiss at different latitude are connected and they originate from plasmaspheric hiss and in part chorus emission. Type I emission represents magnetospheric whistler emission that accesses the ionosphere. Equatorward propagation associated with type II emission is a consequence of wave trapping mechanisms in the ionosphere. Two different wave trapping mechanisms are identified to explain the equatorial propagation of Type II emission; one is associated with the proximity of wave frequency and local proton cyclotron frequency, while the other occurs near the ionospheric density peak.

Whistler mode wave generation at the edges of a magnetic dip

On 18 May 2011, the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms satellite observed whistler mode waves associated with a magnetic dip behind a dipolarization front structure in the bursty bulk flow braking region. For the first time, we find that whistler mode waves are generated at the edges of magnetic dip rather than at the center (also known as “minimum-B-pocket”). Detailed wave analysis indicates that the waves are likely lower and upper band whistler mode chorus. We examine electron pitch angle distributions at the edges of dip and compare them with those at the center and far outside the magnetic dip. Results confirm that the positive temperature anisotropy and pancake distributions at the edges of magnetic dip provide free energy source for growth of the whistler mode waves. We also interpret the whole physical process of how whistler mode waves generate in this event.

Discrete magnetosonic waves as an evidence of nonlinear wave-particle interaction

Two events, showing strong emissions near the lower hybrid frequency, are studied in detail in this paper. By analyzing the polarization degree, wave normal angle, and ellipticity, we conclude that the emissions are magnetosonic (MS) waves. These MS waves have opposite poynting fluxes in the radial and azimuthal direction, indicating that they were detected near the source region. In the wave spectrogram, discrete and “rising-tone” elements are found, suggesting that MS waves probably are a consequence of nonlinear wave-particle interaction.

VLF radio signal anomalies associated with strong earthquakes

The VLF (Very Low Frequency) radio signal receiving network of Russian Alpha radio navigation system has been established in China since 2010. We applied a quartile-based method to study the variations of VLF signal propagation before the M≥6.0 shallow earthquakes in the network. Results found that possible anomalies occurred around the two strong earthquakes, 2010 M7.1 Yushu and 2013 M7.0 Lushan earthquake, respectively. For earthquakes with magnitude 5.0≥M≥7.0, such anomalies are not detected. Preliminary statistical analysis with Dst and Kp indices show that there exists a good correlation between geomagnetic storms and VLF propagation anomaly.

Ionospheric disturbances associated with Tonga Mw7.9 earthquake —Results from Langmuir Probe Instrument onboard DEMETER satellite

Authors in this paper mainly employ Ne (electron density), and Te (electron temperature) data of Langmuir Probe Instrument (ISL) onboard DEMETER, to study the variations of electron density and electron temperature associated with strong earthquakes. Tonga Mw 7.9 earthquake case study shows that revisited orbits of 09768_1 and 09782_1 (before and after shock, respectively) within 4 months data before earthquake and 2 months data after earthquake changed significantly before earthquake. Te data recorded by 09768_1 and its revisited orbits before earthquake were lower about 1000K to 1500K than recorded after earthquake, whereas Ne data of the same orbits not occurred such distinctive changes. Ne data of 09782_1 and its revisited orbits experienced an increase from 20000cm−3 to 30000cm−3. To further understand the features of the pre-earthquake ionospheric anomalies, we examine the temporal and spatial evolution of electron density within the area of 2000km near epicenter from 1st March to 1st July 2006 and from 1st March to 1st July from 29st April 2005 to 2nd May 2005 respectively. Results show that about the 5 days ago before earthquake the electron density dropped to a relative lower level comparing to the normal days without earthquakes.