Study of Interactions Between ULF Waves and Ring Current Heavy (He+ and O+) Ions

Abstract:

We report the spatiotemporal structure of interactions between ULF waves and ring current heavy (He+ and O+) ions using a suite of Van Allen Probes instruments. It is well known that although heavy ions constitute only a fraction of magnetospheric particles in most conditions (especially during quiet times), their role in wave generation and propagation is significant. The relative contribution of each heavy ion species to ULF wave generation and propagation still needs to be further investigated to understand ring current heavy ion dynamics. We present data from the ion composition (Radiation Belt Storm Probes Ion Composition Experiment; RBSPICE) and field (Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science; EMFISIS) instruments onboard Van Allen Probes to examine ULF wave activity in the presence of heavy ions and the scattering of heavy ions. Ground-based data near spacecraft conjunction sites are also used to investigate wave propagation associated with wave-particle interactions.