A Statistical Study of Modulation of Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves Observed on Ground

Abstract

AbstractThe modulation of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves by different geomagnetic pulsations is known to us from both ground and satellite observations. However, their dependence on the EMIC wave characteristics is not well explored. We report a statistical analysis of modulation of EMIC waves by short and long periodicities at the Indian Antarctic station, Maitri (L ≈ 5). We have analyzed the induction coil magnetometer data for the period of 2011–2017 and identified 6,845 EMIC wave events, out of which 5,502 events (80%) clearly showed the presence of short period modulation. These short period modulations are associated with repetitive rising tone EMIC wave emissions. Among these 5,502 EMIC wave events only 2,413 events showed presence of long period modulation, in addition to the short period modulation. Next we have examined the characteristics like start time, end time, peak frequency, frequency extent, maximum power, and dominant short and long periodicities present in each EMIC wave event. Based on the statistical analysis, we found that the dominant short and long periodicities in the EMIC waves are in the range of 1.5–3 min and 10–60 min, respectively. These short period decreases with an increase in the peak frequency of the EMIC wave. It is attributed to the decrease in magnetic field line oscillation period at lower L‐shells. Additionally, we noticed that the stronger EMIC wave events are likely to have a higher peak frequency. All these observed tendencies are examined in light of nonlinear theory, and they are found to be in good agreement.