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Electrostatic electron cyclotron waves observed by the plasma wave instrument on board Polar
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Electrostatic electron cyclotron waves observed by the plasma wave instrument on board Polar

J. D Menietti, J. S Pickett, D. A Gurnett and J. D Scudder
Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, Vol.106(A4), pp.6043-6057
04/01/2001
DOI: 10.1029/2000JA003016
url
https://doi.org/10.1029/2000JA003016View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

We report the results of an investigation of waves observed by the Polar spacecraft at high altitudes and latitudes and at frequencies just above the cyclotron frequency. These observations are made frequently when the spacecraft is over the polar cap as well as near the dayside cusp and near the nightside auroral region, and observations are made for ratios of plasma frequency to cyclotron frequency, ƒp/ƒc ∼ 1. Using the six‐channel high‐frequency waveform receiver (HFWR) on board the spacecraft, which can provide three‐axis electric and three‐axis magnetic field measurements, we attempt to identify the wavemode of these emissions and investigate possible source mechanisms including low‐energy electron beams. We further observe electromagnetic emission associated with upper hybrid waves near and within the plasmasphere. This emission is consistent with both Z and O modes.

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