Nonlinear Evolution of Counter‐Propagating Whistler Mode Waves Excited by Anisotropic Electrons Within the Equatorial Source Region: 1‐D PIC Simulations

Abstract

AbstractNonlinear physical processes related to whistler mode waves are attracting more and more attention for their significant role in reshaping whistler mode spectra in the Earth's magnetosphere. Using a 1‐D particle‐in‐cell simulation model, we have investigated the nonlinear evolution of parallel counter‐propagating whistler mode waves excited by anisotropic electrons within the equatorial source region. In our simulations, after the linear phase of whistler mode instability, the strong electrostatic standing structures along the background magnetic field will be formed, resulting from the coupling between excited counter‐propagating whistler mode waves. The wave numbers of electrostatic standing structures are about twice those of whistler mode waves generated by anisotropic hot electrons. Moreover, these electrostatic standing structures can further be coupled with either parallel or antiparallel propagating whistler mode waves to excite high‐k modes in this plasma system. Compared with excited whistler mode waves, these high‐k modes typically have 3 times wave number, same frequency, and about 2 orders of magnitude smaller amplitude. Our study may provide a fresh view on the evolution of whistler mode waves within their equatorial source regions in the Earth's magnetosphere.