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Detailed Reference Information
Backrud et al. 2005
Backrud, M., Tjulin, A., Vaivads, A., André, M. and Fazakerley, A. (2005). Interferometric identification of ion acoustic broadband waves in the auroral region: CLUSTER observations. Geophysical Research Letters 32: doi: 10.1029/2005GL022640. issn: 0094-8276.

We determine the phase velocity and k vector for parallel and oblique broadband extremely low frequency, ELF, waves on nightside auroral magnetic field lines at altitudes around 4.6 RE. We use internal burst mode data from the EFW electric field and wave instrument onboard the Cluster spacecraft to retrieve phase differences between the four probes of the instrument. The retrieved characteristic phase velocity is of the order of the ion acoustic speed and larger than the thermal velocity of the protons. The typical wavelength obtained from interferometry is around the proton gyro radius and always larger than the Debye length. We find that in regions with essentially no suprathermal electrons above a few tens of eV the observed broadband waves above the proton gyro frequency are consistent with upgoing ion acoustic and oblique ion acoustic waves.

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Abstract

Keywords
Magnetospheric Physics, Auroral phenomena, Magnetospheric Physics, Electric fields, Magnetospheric Physics, Plasma waves and instabilities
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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