Quasi-periodic ELF/VLF wave emissions in the Earth's magnetosphere: comparison of satellite observations and modeling

Abstract. We present the results of a case study of quasi-periodic (QP) ELF/VLF hiss emissions detected on board the Freja and Magion 5 satellites. Detailed analysis of available QP events revealed certain specific features of their dynamic spectra, which have not been reported earlier. In particular, we found an event with an increase in the frequency drift rate during the generation of a single element of QP emission, and an event with alteration of QP elements having different frequency drift rates. Another event demonstrates the possible relationship between QP hiss emissions and discrete VLF emissions. Properties of QP events are compared with parameters of energetic electrons and cold plasma, and other available data.

Possible scenarios for the formation of these emissions are discussed on the basis of self-consistent simulations of the cyclotron instability, employing the information obtained experimentally. It is shown that the generation regime of self-sustained pulsations can explain consistently our data set. We show that our numerical model is capable of explaining the mentioned specific features of the dynamic spectrum of QP emissions. Comparison of the modeling results with experimental data yields an estimate for the parameters not measured directly.

Key words. Magnetospheric physics (plasma waves and instabilities; energetic particles, precipitating; energetic particles, trapped)