S. Perraut

Bio: S. Perraut is an academic researcher from CNET. The author has contributed to research in topics: Substorm & Magnetic field. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 21 publications receiving 1452 citations.

Wave‐particle interactions near ΩHe+ observed on GEOS 1 and 2 1. Propagation of ion cyclotron waves in He+‐rich plasma

Abstract: The GEOS 1 and 2 spacecraft contain a set of particle and wave detectors which allow for a very comprehensive study of wave-particle interactions occurring within the equatorial region of the magnetosphere. This paper is devoted to interactions involving protons in the energy range 20 keV to 300 keV and ULF waves with frequencies below the proton gyrofrequency. It is shown that mose of the ion cyclotron waves (ICW's) detected in this frequency range have spectra whose charcteristic frequencies are organized in the vicinity of the He/sup +/ gyrofrequency. Simultaneous measurements of the ion composition in the thermal energy range (E< or approx. =110 eV) show these waves to be clearly associated with the abundance of cold He/sup +/ as well as the anisotropy of ions above 20 keV. The general characteristics of these helium-associated ULF events are presented in case studies of four events. The interpretation of this phenomenon is given in the present paper in terms of the propagation of ICW's in a He/sup +/ -rich plasma. It is shown that the shape of the cold plasma dispersion curve (for both parallel and non-parallel propgation) can adequately explain the main characteristics of the observed waves (frequency spectrum, polarization)more » as well as the differences between observations made onboard GEOS 1 and GEOS 2. The generation conditions of ion cylotron waves in such a multi-component plasma, as well as their quasi-linear effects on both the cold He/sup +/ ions and the hot protons, are discussed in a companion paper.« less

Plasma sheet instability related to the westward traveling surge

Abstract: The detailed analysis of an isolated dispersionless substorm is performed on the basis of field and particle data collected in situ by the geostationary satellite GEOS 2 and of data from ground-based instruments installed close to the GEOS 2 magnetic footprint. These data give evidence for (1) quasi-periodic variations of the magnetic field configuration, which is alternatively taillike and dipolelike, (2) in-phase oscillations of the flux of energetic electrons, which is high when the configuration is dipolelike and vice versa, (3) a gradient in the flux of energetic ions, which is, on the average, earthward but undergoes large fluctuations around this average direction, and (4) large transient fluctuations of the quasi-dc electric field, which reverses its direction from eastward to westward. It is shown that these results are consistent with the development of an instability which leads to a westward propagating “wave”. The source of the instability is the differential drift of energetic electrons and ions in a highly stressed magnetic field configuration (in a high β plasma). Evidence is given for a system of localized field-aligned currents flowing alternately earthward and equatorward at the leading and trailing edges of the westward propagating wave. This current system resulting from the temporal development of the instability produces the so-called Pi 2 pulsations, at the ionospheric level. The closure of this current system in the equatorial region leads to a current antiparallel to the tail current, and therefore to its reduction or cancellation. This reduction/cancellation of the tail current restores the dipole magnetic field (dipolarization) and generates a large westward directed induced electric field (injection). Hence, dipolarization and injection are the consequences of the instability. Finally, it is suggested that the westward traveling surge observed simultaneously by all-sky cameras, close to the magnetic field of GEOS 2, is the image of the instability in the equatorial region transmitted to the upper atmosphere by precipitating electrons.

Wave-particle interactions near ΩHe+ observed on board GEOS 1 and 2: 2. Generation of ion cyclotron waves and heating of He+ ions

Abstract: This work is a continuation of paper 1 (Young et al., 1981) and is devoted to the generation process of ion cyclotron waves (ICWs) and the acceleration of He+ ions up to suprathermal energies. Simultaneous measurements are used from the ion composition experiment (0 < E < 16 keV), the energetic particle experiment (24 < E < 3 300 keV), and the ULF wave experiment (0.2–10 Hz) on board the GEOS 1 and GEOS 2 spacecraft. General characteristics of the local time distribution of ICWs will be presented and compared with those of the thermal anisotropy of energetic protons and the He+ abundance. Further calculations of the convective growth rate are conducted by applying two different methods, both of which are based upon the measured proton fluxes. The generation conditions of the ICWs in the presence of He+ ions will be investigated and three possible explanations will be discussed: (1) enhanced convection growth rates, (2) lowering of the threshold for absolute instabilities, and (3) change of the ICWs ray path (laser-like effect). Finally, it is shown that the flux of suprathermal He+ ions is modulated at the ICW frequency. Owing to nonlinear effects, part of the energy of the energetic protons is transfered via the ICWs to the He+ ions that are essentially accelerated in the direction perpendicular to the static magnetic field. Then in the otherwise collisionless plasma the friction between energetic anisotropic protons and thermal He+ ions is achieved through the ICWs.

Ion cyclotron waves: Direct comparison between ground‐based measurements and observations in the source region

Abstract: Simultaneous measurements of ion cyclotron waves (ICW's) were performed on GEOS spacecraft and in the vicinity of their magnetic footprints with the French Mobile station. The detailed comparison between the two sets of data shows that while ICW's having F FHe suffer a reflection where the frequency locally matches the local bi-ion hybrid frequency. We extend the calculations of Rauch and Roux and calculate, as a function of the He+ concentration, the tunnelling of ICW's through the stopband induced by the presence of minor He+ ions. It is shown that the transmission coefficient strongly depends upon the wave frequency for a given He+ abundance ratio. The results obtained are shown to be supported by existing observations.

Characterization of Alfvenic fluctuations in the magnetopause boundary layer

Abstract: The European Space Agency GEOS 2 spacecraft happened to cross the magnetopause several times, at various local times. Intense electric and magnetic fluctuations, in the ultralow-frequency (ULF) range (0-10 Hz) have been detected during each such crossing, with a peak at the magnetopause and still large amplitudes in the adjacent magnetosheath and magnetopause boundary layer. By applying spectral analysis and correlations to the electric and magnetic fluctuations, and a minimum variance analysis to the magnetic fluctuations, we investigate the nature of these fluctuations which appear as short-lasting bursts in the spacecraft frame. Having reviewed possible interpretations, we show that the observed electric and magnetic signatures are consistent with small-scale (L ≈ ion Larmor radius) Alfvenic field-aligned structures passing by the spacecraft at high speed. It is suggested that these structures correspond to nonlinear Alfvenic structures.

Neutral line model of substorms: Past results and present view

Abstract: The near-Earth neutral line (NENL) model of magnetospheric substorms is reviewed. The observed phenomenology of substorms is discussed including the role of coupling with the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field, the growth phase sequence, the expansion phase (and onset), and the recovery phase. New observations and modeling results are put into the context of the prior model framework. Significant issues and concerns about the shortcomings of the NENL model are addressed. Such issues as ionosphere-tail coupling, large-scale mapping, onset trigger- ing, and observational timing are discussed. It is concluded that the NENL model is evolving and being improved so as to include new observations and theoretical insights. More work is clearly required in order to incorporate fully the complete set of ionospheric, near-tail, midtail, and deep- tail features of substorms. Nonetheless, the NENL model still seems to provide the best avail- able framework for ordering the complex, global manifestations of substorms.

Relativistic theory of wave‐particle resonant diffusion with application to electron acceleration in the magnetosphere

Abstract: Resonant diffusion curves for electron cyclotron resonance with field-aligned electromagnetic R mode and L mode electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are constructed using a fully relativistic treatment. Analytical solutions are derived for the case of a single-ion plasma, and a numerical scheme is developed for the more realistic case of a multi-ion plasma. Diffusion curves are presented, for plasma parameters representative of the Earth's magnetosphere at locations both inside and outside the plasmapause. The results obtained indicate minimal electron energy change along the diffusion curves for resonant interaction with L mode waves. Intense storm time EMIC waves are therefore ineffective for electron stochastic acceleration, although these waves could induce rapid pitch angle scattering for ≳ 1 MeV electrons near the duskside plasmapause. In contrast, significant energy change can occur along the diffusion curves for interaction between resonant electrons and whistler (R mode) waves. The energy change is most pronounced in regions of low plasma density. This suggests that whistler mode waves could provide a viable mechanism for electron acceleration from energies near 100 keV to above 1 MeV in the region outside the plasmapause during the recovery phase of geomagnetic storms. A model is proposed to account for the observed variations in the flux and pitch angle distribution of relativistic electrons during geomagnetic storms by combining pitch angle scattering by intense EMIC waves and energy diffusion during cyclotron resonant interaction with whistler mode chorus outside the plasmasphere.

Relativistic electron pitch-angle scattering by electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves during geomagnetic storms

Abstract: During magnetic storms, relativistic electrons execute nearly circular orbits about the Earth and traverse a spatially confined zone within the duskside plasmapause where electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are preferentially excited. We examine the mechanism of electron pitch-angle diffusion by gyroresonant interaction with EMIC waves as a cause of relativistic electron precipitation loss from the outer radiation belt. Detailed calculations are carried out of electron cyclotron resonant pitch-angle diffusion coefficients Dααfor EMIC waves in a multi-ion (H+, He+, O+) plasma. A simple functional form for Dαα is used, based on quasi-linear theory that is valid for parallel-propagating, small-amplitude electromagnetic waves of general spectral density. For typical observed EMIC wave amplitudes (l-10nT), the rates of resonant pitch-angle diffusion are close to the limit of "strong" diffusion, leading to intense electron precipitation. In order for gyroresonance to take place, electrons must possess a minimum kinetic energy Emin which depends on the value of the ratio (electron plasma frequency/ electron gyrofrequency); Emin also depends on the properties of the EMIC wave spectrum and the ion composition. Geophysically interesting scattering, with Emin comparable to 1 MeV, can only occur in regions where (electron plasma frequency/electron gyrofrequency) ≥ 10, which typically occurs within the duskside plasmapause. Under such conditions, electrons with energy ≥ 1 MeV can be removed from the outer radiation belt by EMIC wave scattering during a magnetic storm over a time-scale of several hours to a day.

Current disruption in the Earth's magnetosphere: Observations and models

Abstract: Observations and models of current disruption in the Earth's magnetosphere are briefly reviewed. At the approach of current disruption onset, the cross-tail current sheet shows a rapid growth in the current density, a large upsurge in the duskward ion bulk speed to nearly the ion thermal speed, an increase in the plasma pressure and its isotropy, a rise in the plasma beta, and a decrease in the current sheet thickness to a length scale comparable to the thermal ion gyroradius. During current disruption, there are (1) large changes in the local magnetic and electric fields, (2) significant magnetic and electric fluctuations over a broad frequency range, (3) magnetic field-aligned counterstreaming electron beams, (4) ion energization perpendicular to the magnetic field, and (5) reduction in the cross-tail current by an amount similar to that built up during the growth phase. Observations further indicate that regions of local reversal of the north-south magnetic field component are not necessarily sites of intense particle energization. Remote sensing of disruption activities shows that at least some current disruptions are not caused by a disturbance propagating earthward from the tail beyond 10 RE downstream. The timescale involved is comparable to or shorter than the ion gyroperiod. Current disruption thus has spatial and temporal scales outside the MHD regime. Several models for current disruption are briefly discussed. Two roles are considered for the cross-field current instability proposed for current disruption. It can provide anomalous resistivity for magnetic reconnection as advocated by the traditional viewpoint or act singly to instigate global changes of the magnetosphere during the initial substorrn expansion phase. The latter role is elaborated by showing that the instability may modify significantly the local current density and any such process will alter the force equilibrium in the current sheet and give rise to an efficient plasma and energy transport on a global scale. Furthermore, such a process can generate field-aligned current with intensity comparable to those associated with an auroral breakup arc at substorrn expansion onset. This scenario leads to a new emphasis that in addition to magnetic reconnection, rapid conversion of magnetic energy into particle energy in magnetotail systems may take place without a magnetic X line or separatrix playing the key role in energy conversion.

The terrestrial ring current: Origin, formation, and decay

Abstract: The terrestrial ring current is an electric current flowing toroidally around the Earth, centered at the equatorial plane and at altitudes of ;10,000 - 60,000 km. Changes in this current are responsible for global decreases in the Earth's surface magnetic field, which are known as geomagnetic storms. Intense geomagnetic storms have severe effects on technological systems, such as disturbances or even permanent damage to tele- communication and navigation satellites, telecommuni- cation cables, and power grids. The main carriers of the storm ring current are positive ions, with energies from ;1 keV to a few hundred keV, which are trapped by the geomagnetic field and undergo an azimuthal drift. The ring current is formed by the injection of ions originating in the solar wind and the terrestrial ionosphere. The injection process involves electric fields, associated with enhanced magnetospheric convection and/or magneto- spheric substorms. The quiescent ring current is carried mainly by protons of predominantly solar wind origin, while geospace activity tends to increase the abundance (both absolute and relative) of O 1 ions, which are of ionospheric origin. During intense magnetic storms, the O 1 abundance increases dramatically, resulting in a rapid intensification of the ring current and an O 1 dominance around storm maximum. This compositional change affects, among other processes, the decay of the ring current through the species- and energy-dependent charge exchange and wave-particle scattering loss. En- ergetic neutral atoms, products of charge exchange, en- able global imaging of the ring current and are the most promising diagnostic tool of ring current evolution. This review will cover the origin of ring current particles, their transport and acceleration, the effects of composi- tional variations in the ring current, the effects of sub- storms on ring current growth, and the dynamics of ring current decay with an emphasis on the process of charge exchange and the potential for wave scattering loss.