Whistler‐mode wave generation around interplanetary shocks in and out of the ecliptic plane

Abstract

We present a study of whistler‐mode wave generation and wave particle interaction in the vicinity of interplanetary shocks in and out of the ecliptic plane, as observed by the Ulysses spacecraft. We focus here on one shock in the ecliptic plane as a reference and three shocks obtained at −30, −54 and −55.4 degrees of heliographic latitude respectively. Generally the whistler‐mode waves (measured in the frequency range 0.22–448 Hz) are observed downstream of the shocks where they persist for some hours. From the electron distribution functions in the energy range 1.6 to 862 eV, we compute the temperature anisotropy and the wave growth rate of the electromagnetic electron cyclotron instability for the case of parallel propagation of the waves with respect to the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) B. In general, in agreement with the wave measurements, the instability grows only downstream of the shock fronts. Following the wave activity, velocity space diffusion of the electrons results in a marginally stable state with some sporadic fluctuations. Broadening of the wave reduced frequency range of the instability and an increase of the temperature anisotropy with latitude are observed.