Quasi Thermal Noise Spectroscopy for Van Allen Probes

Abstract

AbstractQuasi thermal fluctuations in the Langmuir/upper‐hybrid frequency range are pervasively observed in space plasmas including the radiation belt and the ring current region of inner magnetosphere as well as the solar wind. The quasi thermal noise spectroscopy may be employed in order to determine the electron density and temperature as well as to diagnose the properties of energetic electrons when direct measurements are not available. However, when employing the technique, one must carefully take the spacecraft orientation into account. The present paper takes the upper‐hybrid and multiple harmonic—or (n + 1/2)fce—emissions measured by the Van Allen Probes as an example in order to illustrate how the spacecraft antenna geometrical factor can be incorporated into the theoretical interpretation. This method can in principle be applied to other spacecraft, including the Parker Solar Probe.