In situ observations of magnetosonic waves modulated by background plasma density

We report in situ observations by the Van Allen Probe mission that magnetosonic (MS) waves are clearly relevant to the background plasma number density. As the satellite moved across dense and tenuous plasma alternatively, MS waves occurred only in lower density region. As the observed protons with “ring” distributions provide free energy, local linear growth rates are calculated and show that magnetosonic waves can be locally excited in tenuous plasma. With variations of the background plasma density, the temporal variations of local wave growth rates calculated with the observed proton ring distributions show a remarkable agreement with those of the observed wave amplitude. Therefore, the paper provides a direct proof that background plasma densities can modulate the amplitudes of magnetosonic waves through controlling the wave growth rates. Key Points Background plasma densities can modulate the amplitudes of MS waves through controlling the wave growth rates MS waves can been locally excited in tenuous plasma due to the free energy from “ring” distribution protons Background plasma densities can play an important role in the excitation of magnetosonic waves Plain Language Summary For generation of magnetosonic waves, background plasma was proposed to be a key factor in theory, but clear observations have not been provided, so far. In this letter, we report on in situ satellite observations that background plasma densities can modulate the amplitudes of magnetosonic waves through controlling the wave growth rates. This modulation mechanism is expected to reveal the spacial distribution of MS waves and its role in evolution of the radiation belts.