Magnetospheric Line Radiation: Temporal Modulation Corresponding to a Bouncing Wave

Abstract

Magnetospheric line radiation (MLR) is a peculiar type of whistler‐mode emissions formed by several similarly spaced spectral lines, whose frequencies may vary with time. These emissions typically occur at frequencies between about 1 and 8 kHz and are observed in both ground‐based and satellite measurements. However, their origin and source locations are not yet understood, as their detection by spacecraft instruments is challenging due to the limited frequency resolution of onboard wave measurements. We use high‐resolution multicomponent wave data obtained by the Van Allen Probes to demonstrate that, in addition to the frequency modulation, MLR events possess a temporal modulation with periods on the order of seconds, which may be related to the wave bouncing between hemispheres. Observed modulation periods are used to estimate a tentative source L‐shell. The modulation periods are shorter for events with larger frequency spacing, and the estimated source L‐shells correlate with model plasmapause locations.