Cross-Energy Couplings from Magnetosonic Waves to Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves through Cold Ion Heating inside the Plasmasphere

Phys Rev Lett. 2021 Dec 10;127(24):245101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.245101.

Abstract

Using a novel wave-particle interaction analysis, we show observational evidence of energy transfer from fast magnetosonic waves (MSWs) to low-energy protons in the magnetosphere. The analysis clearly indicates that the transferred proton energies are further converted to excite electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves. Since MSWs are excited by hot ions, cross-energy coupling of ions occurs through MSWs. The result also suggests a new energy transfer path of exciting electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves in the magnetosphere, and a complex interplay between various wave modes and particle populations.