Nonlinear Electron Phase‐Space Dynamics in Spontaneous Excitation of Falling‐Tone Chorus

Abstract

AbstractWhistler mode chorus, characterized by frequency chirping, is an important type of waves in planetary magnetospheres. To investigate the role of nonlinear wave particle interactions in excitation of chorus, analysis of electron phase space dynamics is required. While electron phase hole associated with rising tone chorus has been well studied, the phase space structure corresponding to falling tone chorus is less understood. Here, we investigate in detail the electron phase space dynamics in a spontaneously generated falling tone chorus with a parabolic type magnetic field, where field strength decreases away from the equator. We demonstrate the formation and evolution of electron phase space clump from downstream to upstream regions, and show that the variation of frequency chirping rate is caused by the movement of the source region. The results are consistent with the recently proposed Trap‐Release‐Amplify model, and should be useful to understand the mechanism of chorus frequency chirping.