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Abstract We report observations of co-existing rising and falling tone emissions of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves by THEMIS E spacecraft. The investigation of these fine structures of the EMIC waves is essential from the point of view of understanding the connection between the proton holes and the proton hills in velocity phase-space. The wave packets of rising and falling tones are tracked by Poynting vector analysis, where we observe that the rising tones are propagating northward and the falling tones are propagating southward. The nonlinear wave growth theory supports our observations. We propose a model where the proton velocity distribution function evolves through the formation of proton holes on the negative side of the distribution function and mirrored resonant protons forming proton hills on the positive side of the distribution function, allowing us to observe the co-existing rising and falling tone EMIC waves. Graphical abstract

Abstract Nonlinear gyroresonant acceleration is an essential mechanism for the formation of relativistic electrons in Earth's radiation belts, yet we still have only limited knowledge of how electron motion interacts nonlinearly with plasma waves. Here we demonstrate the compelling suppression of whistler‐mode chorus emissions as a resonant wave with energetic electrons by tuning an external transmitter signal in space plasmas. Through forcible modification of electron motions via phase trapping by the external waves, the nonlinear gyroresonant current is suppressed along with the electron hole deformation. Moreover, this can decrease the population of relativistic electrons due to the lack of coherent resonant waves seen by the phase‐organized electrons. Understanding such nonlinear wave suppression effects is crucial for a potential active control of Earth's plasma environment.

Abstract The terrestrial bow shock is the boundary where supersonic solar wind slows down abruptly near the magnetopause. The shock front geometry could be modulated by surface waves to form rippled structures, which impact the acceleration process of the solar wind particles. However, the rippled structures are hard to be identified unambiguously due to the similar signatures in single‐spacecraft observations between rippled shocks and reforming shocks. Here, we utilize the four‐spacecraft observations from the MMS mission to investigate an event of quasi‐perpendicular bow shock crossing. The periodic oscillations of shock normal directions and normal velocities support the scenario of surface wave propagation in the tangential direction. We also reconstruct the shock profile along the normal direction, and its monotonic shape further excludes the occurrence of shock reformation. These ripples are found to modulate the reflected ions and whistler wave packets, which adds to the complexity of the bow shock plasma environments.

This study aims to reveal the relationships between understory coverage (principally, weed growth) beneath the canopies of Sumatran eucalyptus plantations and L-band backscatter data gathered by the PALSAR-2 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) onboard the ALOS-2 satellite. Statistical analysis in conjunction with in situ measurements of forest structural parameters reveals that the SAR polarization ratio is significantly negatively correlated with understory coverage in forests taller than or equal to 10 m or above 2 years of age. Our field investigations confirm that a decrease in canopy coverage takes place some 2 years after transplanting, which in turn permits increased penetration (decreased attenuation) of microwave signals thereby enabling the SAR to detect changes in understory coverage. In addition, both growth and unmanaged remnants of the understory vegetation in older forests reduce evaporation from the ground, which in turn stabilizes soil-moisture levels throughout the year and allows co-polarized backscatter data (which might otherwise be dominated by soil-moisture changes) to contain significant information on the underlying vegetation. No correlation between the understory and SAR backscatter was recorded in younger forests undergoing programs of intensive weed management. This is presumably because strong canopy and trunk backscatter obscured the response from understory vegetation and because artificial changes were induced in vegetation water content as a result of the application of herbicides which in turn reduced the accuracy of some of our field measurements of understory coverage. This research nevertheless demonstrates an important potential application of active satellite microwave remote sensing. We show that satellite-based L-band SAR can be used as a tool to investigate coverage percentages of understory layers. This synoptic technique reduces the need for repeated field surveys across large areas of forest. It can enhance ecosystem assessment and improve understory coverage estimates in sparse forests and in various types of plantations.

Abstract Chorus waves are intense electromagnetic emissions critical in modulating electron dynamics. In this study, we perform two‐dimensional particle‐in‐cell simulations to investigate self‐consistent wave‐particle interactions with oblique chorus waves. We first analyze the electron dynamics sampled from cyclotron and Landau resonances with waves, and then quantify the advection and diffusion coefficients through statistical studies. It is found that phase‐trapped cyclotron resonant electrons satisfy the second‐order resonance condition and gain energy from waves. While phase‐bunched cyclotron resonant electrons cannot remain in resonance for long periods. They transfer energy to waves and are scattered to smaller pitch angles. Landau resonant electrons are primarily energized by waves. For both types of resonances, advection coefficients are greater than diffusion coefficients when the wave amplitude is large. Our study highlights the important role of advection in electron dynamics modulation resulting from nonlinear wave‐particle interactions.

Abstract Chorus subpackets are the wave packets with modulated amplitudes in chorus waves, commonly observed in the magnetospheres of Earth and other planets. Nonlinear wave‐particle interactions have been suggested to play an important role in subpacket formation, yet the corresponding electron dynamics remain not fully understood. In this study, we have investigated the electron trapping through cyclotron resonance with subpackets, using a self‐consistent general curvilinear plasma simulation code simulation model in dipole fields. The electron trapping period has been quantified separately through electron dynamic analysis and theoretical derivation. Both methods indicate that the electron trapping period is shorter than the subpacket period/duration. We have further established the relation between electron trapping period and subpacket period through statistical analysis using simulation and observational data. Our study demonstrates that the nonlinear electron trapping through cyclotron resonance is the dominant mechanism responsible for subpacket formation.

Abstract A 2‐D GCPIC simulation in a dipole field system has been conducted to explore the excitation of oblique whistler mode chorus waves driven by energetic electrons with temperature anisotropy. The rising tone chorus waves are initially generated near the magnetic equator, consisting of a series of subpackets, and become oblique during their propagation. It is found that electron holes in the wave phase space, which are formed due to the nonlinear cyclotron resonance, oscillate in size with time during subpacket formation. The associated inhomogeneity factor varies accordingly, giving rise to various frequency chirping in different phases of subpackets. Distinct nongyrotropic electron distributions are detected in both wave gyrophase and stationary gyrophase. Landau resonance is found to coexist with cyclotron resonance. This study provides multidimensional electron distributions involved in subpacket formation, enabling us to comprehensively understand the nonlinear physics in chorus wave evolution.

Graphical Abstract

An understanding of the development of strong very low frequency chorus elements is important in the study of the rapid MeV electron acceleration observed during radiation belt recovery events. During such events, chorus elements with long-duration (20–40 ms), strong (|Bw| 0.5–2.0 nT) subpackets with smoothly varying frequency and phase capable of producing nonlinear energy gain of 1%–2% for multi-MeV seed electrons. For such strong chorus elements, we examine the consequences of an upstream motion of the chorus wave generation region using Van Allen Probes observations and nonlinear theory. For a given upstream velocity, vs, resonant electron energy (50–350 keV) and pitch angle (105–115 deg) are uniquely determined for each wave frequency. We examine the effect of an upstream vs on the inhomogeneity factor that controls wave growth. For steadily increasing upstream motion as the chorus element evolves, vs/c ranging over [-0.001, −0.065], nonlinear wave growth takes place at ≥ 50% of the theoretical maximal value during the development of the observed strong subpackets. For the cases examined, resonant electron energies and pitch angles closely match those of the observed injected electron flux enhancements responsible for chorus development and the nonlinear acceleration of MeV radiation belt electrons.

Abstract Chorus subpackets/subelements are the wave packets occurring at intervals of ∼10–100 msec and are suggested to play a crucial role in the formation of substructures within pulsating aurora. In this study, we investigate the evolution of subpackets from the upstream to downstream regions. Using Van Allen Probe A measurements, we have found that the frequency of the upstream subpackets increases smoothly, but that of the downstream subpackets remains almost unchanged. Through a simulation in the real‐size magnetosphere, we have reproduced the subpackets with characteristics similar to those in observations, and revealed that the frequency chirping is influenced by both resonant current of electrons and wave amplitude due to nonlinear physics. Although the resonant currents in the upstream and downstream regions are comparable, the wave amplitude increases significantly during evolution, resulting in lower sweep rate in the downstream region. Our findings provide a fresh insight into the evolution of chorus subpackets.

The classical picture of cyclotron resonance fails to describe the interaction between large-amplitude plasma waves and low-energy particles. The authors identify anomalous resonance, or nonlinear modification of the classical resonant condition by strong wave field, by ultrafast spacecraft measurements that are consistent with test-particle simulations.

Abstract We perform an electromagnetic particle simulation of triggered emissions in a uniform magnetic field for understanding of nonlinear wave–particle interaction in the vicinity of the magnetic equator. A finite length of a whistler-mode triggering wave packet with a constant frequency is injected by oscillating an external current at the equator. We find that the first subpacket of triggered emissions is generated in the homogeneous magnetic field. By analyzing resonant currents and resonant electron dynamics in the simulation, we find that the formation of an electron hole in a velocity phase space results in resonant currents, and the currents cause wave amplification and frequency increase. We obtain the interaction time of counter-streaming resonant electrons in a triggering wave packet with a finite width. By changing the duration time of the triggering pulse, we evaluate the interaction time necessary for formation of an electron hole. We conduct 4 runs with different duration times of the triggering pulse, 980, 230, 105, 40 $$\Omega _e^{-1}$$ Ω e - 1 , which correspond to cases with interaction times, 370%, 86%, 39%, and 15% of the nonlinear trapping period, respectively. We find generation of triggered emissions in the three cases of 370%, 86%, and 39%, which agrees with the conventional nonlinear model that the nonlinear transition time, which is necessary for formation of resonant currents, is about a quarter of the nonlinear trapping period. Graphic Abstract

Abstract The frequency chirping of chorus waves is commonly observed in the Earth’s inner magnetosphere, but its generation remains an open question. Recently, Liu et al. (2021), https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029258 reported two unusual rising‐tone (upward chirping) chorus elements. Although the central frequency of constituent subpackets rises, the frequency of a single subpacket is surprisingly downward chirping. With a gcPIC‐δf simulation in the dipole field, we successfully reproduce this kind of substructure, which contains alternating signs of chirping. Interestingly, both hole and hill structures are formed around the theoretical resonant velocities in the electron phase space, no matter whether the chirping is upward or downward. However, during each chirping interval, only one structure (either a hole or a hill) is associated with wave excitation: the upward chirping is related to the hole, while the hill contributes to the downward chirping. Our study provides a fresh perspective on the theory of frequency chirping in chorus waves.

Abstract We conduct electromagnetic particle simulations to examine the applicability of nonlinear wave growth theory to the generation process of plasmaspheric hiss. We firstly vary the gradient of the background magnetic field from a realistic model to a rather steep gradient model. Under such variation, the threshold amplitude in the nonlinear theory increases quickly and the overlap between threshold and optimum amplitude disappears correspondingly, the nonlinear process is suppressed. In the simulations, as we enlarge the gradient coefficient of the background magnetic field, waves generated near the equator do not grow through propagation. By examining the range of suitable values of inhomogeneity factor S (i.e., $$|S|

Abstract Van Allen Probes in situ observations are used to examine detailed subpacket structure observed in strong VLF (very low frequency) rising-tone chorus elements observed at the time of a rapid MeV electron energization in the inner magnetosphere. Analysis of the frequency gap between lower and upper chorus-band waves identifies f ceEQ, the electron gyrofrequency in the equatorial wave generation region. Initial subpackets in these strong chorus rising-tone elements begin at a frequency near 1/4 f ceEQ and exhibit smooth gradual frequency increase across their > 10 ms temporal duration. A second much stronger subpacket is seen at frequencies around the local value of 1/4 f ce with small wave normal angle (

Abstract Nonlinear processes associated with the generation process of whistler-mode chorus emissions are summarized. The nonlinear dynamics of energetic electrons interacting with a coherent whistler-mode wave and the formation of electromagnetic electron holes or hills in the velocity phase space are described. The condition for resonant electrons to be free from the anomalous trapping at low pitch angles is obtained. In the presence of the inhomogeneity due to the frequency variation and the gradient of the magnetic field, the electron holes or hills result in resonant currents generating rising-tone emissions or falling-tone emissions, respectively. After formation of a coherent wave at a frequency of the maximum linear growth rate, triggering of the nonlinear wave growth takes place when the wave amplitude is above the threshold amplitude. The wave grows to a level close to the optimum wave amplitude as an absolute instability near the magnetic equator. The nonlinear growth rate at a position away from the equator is derived for a subtracted Maxwellian momentum distribution function with correction to the formulas in the past publications. The triggering process is repeated sequentially at progressively higher frequencies in the case of a rising-tone emission, generating subpackets forming a chorus element. With a higher plasma density as in the plasmasphere, the triggering of subpackets takes place concurrently over a wide range of frequency forming discrete hiss elements with varying frequencies. The mechanism of nonlinear wave damping due to quasi-parallel propagation from the equator is presented, which results in the formation of a gap at half the electron cyclotron frequency, separating a long rising-tone chorus emission into the upper-band and lower-band chorus emissions. The theoretical formulation of an oblique whistler mode wave and its interaction with energetic electrons at the n-th resonance is also presented along with derivation of the inhomogeneity factor.

Abstract We present a statistical study of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves observed at Antarctic station (geographic $$70.7{^\circ }\,\hbox {S}$$ 70.7 ∘ S , $$11.8{^\circ }\,\hbox {E}$$ 11.8 ∘ E , $$L=5$$ L = 5 ) on quiet and disturbed days during 2011–2017. The data span a fairly good period of both ascending and descending phases of the solar cycle 24, which has witnessed extremely low activity. We noted EMIC wave occurrence by examining wave power in different frequency ranges in the spectrogram. EMIC wave occurrence during ascending and descending phases of solar cycle 24, its local time, seasonal dependence and durations have been examined. There are total 2367 days for which data are available. Overall, EMIC waves are observed for 3166.5 h ( $$\approx 5.57\%$$ ≈ 5.57 % of total duration) which has contributions from 1263 days. We find a significantly higher EMIC wave occurrence during the descending phase ( $$\approx$$ ≈ 6.83%) as compared to the ascending phase ( $$\approx$$ ≈ 4.08%) of the solar cycle, which implies nearly a twofold increase in EMIC wave occurrence. This feature is attributed to the higher solar wind dynamic pressure during descending phase of solar activity. There is no evident difference in the percentage occurrence of EMIC waves on magnetically disturbed and quiet days. On ground, EMIC waves show marginally higher occurrence during winter as compared to summer. This seasonal tendency is attributed to lower electron densities and conductivities in the ionosphere, which can affect the propagation of EMIC waves through ionospheric ducts. In local time, the probability distribution function of EMIC wave occurrence shows enhancement during 11.7–20.7 LT (i.e., afternoon–dusk sector). Daily durations of EMIC waves are in the range of 5–1015 min and it is noted that the longer duration (240–1015 min) events are prevalent on quiet days and are mostly seen during the descending phase of solar cycle.

Abstract We conduct test particle simulations to examine the acceleration mechanism of relativistic electrons through interaction with multi-subpacket chorus waves. As the analysis of recent observations reveals, amplitude of a rising tone element of chorus wave consists of many short wave packets. We call this single rising tone chorus element with the collective structure of multiple short wave packets as a multi-subpacket chorus wave. In this simulation, we develop the wave model with rapidly fluctuating amplitude and phase discontinuities across each subpacket, in order to examine how these features of multi-subpacket chorus wave influence the nonlinear trapping processes in efficient acceleration of relativistic electrons such as relativistic turning acceleration (RTA) and ultra-relativistic acceleration (URA). To conduct comprehensive examinations, we test more than nine million particles with various initial conditions covering the energy range from 100 to 6 MeV, and the equatorial pitch angles from 10° to 89°. The test particles interact with a single rising tone element of multi-subpacket chorus wave set up with the maximum amplitude of about 2 nT and the frequency rise from about 1.3 kHz to 3.8 kHz over 0.25 s. Relativistic electrons are accelerated by about 160 keV under preferable conditions. The energy increase verifies the high efficiency of acceleration by the wave–particle interactions, based on the fact that it is achieved by a short time interaction less than 1 s with a single element of chorus wave. By analyzing the detailed behavior of the accelerated electrons, we find successive trapping of the resonant electrons resulting in the efficient accelerations from the consecutive multiple subpackets of a chorus wave element.

The biodiversity loss in Southeast Asia indicates an urgent need for long-term monitoring, which is lacking. Much attention is being directed toward bird diversity monitoring using remote sensing, based on relation to forest structure. However, few studies have utilized space-borne active microwave remote sensing, which has considerable advantages in terms of repetitive observations over tropical areas. Here, we evaluate threatened bird occurrence from L-band satellite data explaining forest structure in Sumatra, Indonesia. First, we identified L-band parameters with strong correlations with the forest layer structure, defined as forest floor, understory, and canopy layers. Then, we analyzed the correlation between threatened bird occurrence and L-band parameters identified as explaining forest structure. The results reveal that several parameters can represent the layers of forest floor, understory, and canopy. Subsequent statistical analysis elucidated that forest-dependent and threatened bird species exhibit significant positive correlations with the selected L-band parameters explaining forest floor and understory. Our results highlight the potential of applying microwave satellite remote sensing to evaluate bird diversity through forest structure estimation, although a more comprehensive study is needed to strengthen our findings.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Abstract Understanding of underlying mechanisms of drastic variations of the near-Earth space (geospace) is one of the current focuses of the magnetospheric physics. The science target of the geospace research project Exploration of energization and Radiation in Geospace (ERG) is to understand the geospace variations with a focus on the relativistic electron acceleration and loss processes. In order to achieve the goal, the ERG project consists of the three parts: the Arase (ERG) satellite, ground-based observations, and theory/modeling/integrated studies. The role of theory/modeling/integrated studies part is to promote relevant theoretical and simulation studies as well as integrated data analysis to combine different kinds of observations and modeling. Here we provide technical reports on simulation and empirical models related to the ERG project together with their roles in the integrated studies of dynamic geospace variations. The simulation and empirical models covered include the radial diffusion model of the radiation belt electrons, GEMSIS-RB and RBW models, CIMI model with global MHD simulation REPPU, GEMSIS-RC model, plasmasphere thermosphere model, self-consistent wave–particle interaction simulations (electron hybrid code and ion hybrid code), the ionospheric electric potential (GEMSIS-POT) model, and SuperDARN electric field models with data assimilation. ERG (Arase) science center tools to support integrated studies with various kinds of data are also briefly introduced.

The concept of metamaterials has led to extraordinary schemes of wave propagation, which has been verified using various meta-atoms, constituent units of metamaterials, as well as applied to a number of categories in physics. Although its definition clarifies the maximum size of meta-atoms as a fraction of one wavelength, the size may vary by several orders, like from millimeters (‘macroscopic level’) to atomic scales (‘microscopic level’) for microwaves. This review surveys several patterns of parameter combinations, like permittivity and permeability in electromagnetic metamaterials, which have been achieved at either macroscopic or microscopic levels, with the similar analogy under the concept of metamaterials. Various experimental and theoretical efforts reported so far and shown here verify that the parameter identification of these values (permittivity, permeability, and refractive index) is independent of meta-atom sizes, with importance of spatial integration procedure on the order of a wavelength.

A decomposition scheme was applied to ALOS/PALSAR data obtained from a fast-growing tree plantation in Sumatra, Indonesia to extract tree stem information and then estimate the forest stand volume. The scattering power decomposition of the polarimetric SAR data was performed both with and without a rotation matrix and compared to the following field-measured forest biometric parameters: tree diameter, tree height and stand volume. The analytical results involving the rotation matrix correlated better than those without the rotation matrix even for natural scattering surfaces within the forests. Our primary finding was that all of the decomposition powers from the rotated matrix correlated significantly to the forest biometric parameters when divided by the total power. The surface scattering ratio of the total power markedly decreased with the forest growth, whereas the canopy and double-bounce scattering ratios increased. The observations of the decomposition powers were consistent with the tree growth characteristics. Consequently, we found a significant logarithmic relationship between the decomposition powers and the forest biometric parameters that can potentially be used to estimate the forest stand volume.

An understanding of the development of strong very low frequency chorus elements is important in the study of the rapid MeV electron acceleration observed during radiation belt recovery events. During such events, chorus elements with long-duration (20-40 ms), strong (|Bw| 0.5-2.0 nT) subpackets with smoothly varying frequency and phase capable of producing nonlinear energy gain of 1%-2% for multi-MeV seed electrons. For such strong chorus elements, we examine the consequences of an upstream motion of the chorus wave generation region using Van Allen Probes observations and nonlinear theory. For a given upstream velocity, v[sub s], resonant electron energy (50-350 keV) and pitch angle (105-115 deg) are uniquely determined for each wave frequency. We examine the effect of an upstream v[sub s] on the inhomogeneity factor that controls wave growth. For steadily increasing upstream motion as the chorus element evolves, vs/c ranging over [-0.001, -0.065], nonlinear wave growth takes place at ≥ 50% of the theoretical maximal value during the development of the observed strong subpackets. For the cases examined, resonant electron energies and pitch angles closely match those of the observed injected electron flux enhancements responsible for chorus development and the nonlinear acceleration of MeV radiation belt electrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]