UNSTABLE GROWTH OF UNDUCTED WHISTLERS PROPAGATING AT AN ANGLE TO THE GEOMAGNETIC FIELD.
Abstract
The local growth rate for whistler waves propagating at an angle to the geomagnetic field is combined with model ray path calculations to estimate the wave growth along the whistler path. This growth rate depends critically upon the equatorial plane distribution of electrons in the few hundreds of electron volt energy range. Under a variety of conditions apparently satisfied by the magnetosphere electron velocity distribution, a region of whistler growth near the equatorial plane exists and is sufficient to make a whistler mode unstable overall as it bounces back and forth across the equatorial plane between reflection points. Only unducted whistlers generated by resonant particle instabilities are treated. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0486436
Entities
People
- C. F. Kennel
- R. M. Thorne