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Whistler and Broadband Electrostatic Waves in the Multiple X-line Reconnection at the Magnetopause
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  • Zhihong Zhong,
  • Daniel Bruce Graham,
  • Yuri V. Khotyaintsev,
  • Meng Zhou,
  • Olivier Le Contel,
  • Rongxin Tang,
  • Xiaohua Deng
Zhihong Zhong
Nanchang University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Daniel Bruce Graham
Swedish Institute of Space Physics
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Yuri V. Khotyaintsev
Swedish Institute of Space Physics
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Meng Zhou
Nanchang University
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Olivier Le Contel
CNRS/Ecole Polytechnique/Sorbonne Université/Université Paris-Saclay/Obser. de Paris
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Rongxin Tang
Nanchang University, Institute of Space Science and Technology
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Xiaohua Deng
Nanchang University
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Abstract

We investigate whistler-mode waves and broadband electrostatic waves (EWs) within an ion diffusion region (IDR) at the magnetopause. The quasi-parallel whistlers are observed in the separatrix regions associated with the electron anisotropy or loss-cone, while the oblique whistlers, the Buneman-type waves, and the oblique EWs are observed in the center of the current sheet associated with the accelerated electron or ion beams. The whistlers are linked with Buneman-type waves by the electron Pacman distribution rather than the wave-wave process. The accelerated cold electron beams excite the Buneman-type instabilities and make the anisotropy or loss-cone of hot electrons less apparent, which led to the conversion of the whistlers from quasi-parallel to oblique. Additionally, the oblique EWs are associated with the ion beams produced by the multiple X-line reconnection. These results provide a further understanding of the relation between plasma waves and plasma kinetics in the IDR.
28 Feb 2021Published in Geophysical Research Letters volume 48 issue 4. 10.1029/2020GL091320