Global morphology of chorus waves in the outer radiation belt and the effect of geomagnetic activity and fpe/fce

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Authors: Kaine A. Bunting, Nigel P. Meredith, Jacob Bortnik, Qianli Ma, Ryoma Matsuura, Xiao-Chen Shen
Cited by: 0

Abstract

Whistler-mode chorus waves play a key role in driving radiation belt dynamics by enabling both acceleration of electrons to relativistic energies as well as their loss into the atmosphere via pitch-angle scattering. The ratio between the electron plasma frequency (fpe) and the electron gyrofrequency (fce) significantly influences the efficiency of these processes, with electron acceleration being most effective during periods of low fpe/fce. In this study, a combined total of approximately 24.5 years of THEMIS wave data are analyzed to show how chorus wave intensity and spatial location vary with relative frequency, geomagnetic activity and fpe/fce. Results demonstrate that the strongest chorus emissions are observed during active conditions. At these times, equatorial chorus at low relative frequencies (flhr10) primarily in the region 5

Fields of Study & Subjects

Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics Lightning and Electromagnetic Phenomena Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics

Publication details

Journal / source
NERC Environmental Data Service
Publication date
9 January 2026
Language
EN
Document type
Dataset