Frequency splitting in stria bursts: Possible roles of low-frequency waves

Abstract

The kinematics of the process L ± F→ L′ are explored where L represents a parallel Langmuir wave, F represents a low frequency fluctuation and L′ represents a secondary Langmuir wave, and the results are used to discuss (a) a possible interpretation of the frequency splitting in stria bursts in terms of the processes L ± F → L′, L′ ± F′ → t, where t represents a transverse wave, and (b) second harmonic emission due to the processes L ± s→ L′, L + L′ → t, where s represents an ion sound wave. The following results are obtained: (1) The processes L ± s → L′ are allowed only for ks < 2kL ± k0, respectively, with k0 = ωp/65 Ve. (2) The inclusion of a magnetic field does not alter the result (1) and adds further kinematic restrictions related to angles of propagation; the kinematic restriction Te> 5 × 105 K for second harmonic emission through process (b) above is also unchanged by inclusion of the magnetic field. The effect of a spread in the wavevectors of the Langmuir waves on this restriction is discussed in the Appendix. (3) For parallel Langmuir waves the process L - F → L′ is forbidden for lower hybrid waves and for nearly perpendicular resonant whistlers, and the process L + F → L′ is allowed only for resonant whistlers at ωF≳ 1/2ωp(Ωe/ωp)2. (4) The sequential three wave processes L ± s → L′, L′ ± s → t and L + F → L′, L′ ± F′ → t encounter difficulties when applied to the interpretation of the splitting in split pair and triple bursts. (5) The four-wave process L ± F ± F′ → t is kinematically allowed and provides a favourable qualitative interpretation of the splitting when F denotes a resonant whistler near the frequency mentioned in (3) above. The four wave processes should saturate under conditions which are not extreme and produce fundamental plasma emission with brightness temperature Tt equal to the effective temperature TL of the Langmuir waves.