Guiding of whistler-mode waves with frequencies above one half of the gyrofrequency in the magnetosphere

Abstract

Ray-tracing calculations show that a trough, L = 4.6, located in the region outside the plasmapause is capable to guide whistler-mode waves in frequency range 0.5fBmin?0.64fBmin, from one hemisphere to the other. From an initial position rays propagate in unducted mode up to h ? 14000 km where they are trapped inside the trough. Propagation along the trough is possible only with great shifting of wave normal direction in respect to the direction of the geomagnetic induction B, following the variations of the magnitude of the ambiental geomagnetic induction, or those of ratio f/fB. On leaving the trough rays propagate in unducted mode downward in the magnetosphere.