Effects of EMIC Wave‐Driven Proton Precipitation on the Ionosphere

Abstract

AbstractWe investigate the proton precipitation caused by electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves and its impact on the ionosphere with the self‐consistent ring current‐atmosphere interactions model (RAM‐SCBE) coupled with an ionospheric particle transport model Global Airglow (GLOW). The EMIC wave diffusion process causes significant precipitation of tens of keV protons, particularly in the afternoon to midnight sector. These precipitating energetic protons further impact the ionosphere‐thermosphere and contribute to the ionization in the E/F regions. The integrated auroral conductance is significantly enhanced in the dusk‐to‐midnight sector. Although the EMIC waves do not directly interact with the ring current electrons, after the EMIC wave scattering included in the model, remarkable changes are found in the global distribution of precipitating electron flux. This means that the addition of proton precipitation driven by EMIC waves results in feedback effects on the ring current electron dynamics through the circulation system. Validation is also conducted by comparing the simulated precipitation flux and ionospheric electron density with observations.