The study of bulk plasma motions and associated electric fields in the plasmasphere by means of whistler-mode signals

摘要: Whistler-mode waves propagating to ground stations along geomagnetic-field-aligned paths provide powerful tools for investigating bulk motions of the magnetospheric plasma and thus corresponding convection electric fields. Natural whistlers from lightning as well signals very low frequency (VLF) transmitters have been employed. The whistler method emphasizes measurement temporal variations in versus time, or dispersion, properties whistlers, while transmitter focuses upon phase group fixed-frequency signal propagation. methods depend wave that are sensitive inhomogeneities geomagnetic field, information on what essentially cross-L a frame reference rotating with Earth. In addition, data duskside plasmasphere bulge used estimate values radial field (GSE Y direction) near dusk. this topical review we discuss development, beginning 1960s, methods, few their geophysical applications. Whistlers provided substantial new spatially temporally structured manner which fields penetrate plasmasphere, one example being still unexplained reversal inward outward post-midnight flow direction following isolated substorms. also useful identifying plasmaspheric drifts associated quiet-day ionospheric dynamo origin showing Ey (duskward), component outer is substantially larger dusk than it mid-night. found be means tracking L=2.5 separately effects interchange fluxes ionosphere paths.