The Plasma Wave Experiment (PWE) on board the Arase (ERG) satellite

Yoshiya Kasahara, Yasumasa Kasaba, Hirotsugu Kojima, Satoshi Yagitani, Keigo Ishisaka, Atsushi Kumamoto, Fuminori Tsuchiya, Mitsunori Ozaki, Shoya Matsuda, Tomohiko Imachi, Yoshizumi Miyoshi, Mitsuru Hikishima, Yuto Katoh, Mamoru Ota, Masafumi Shoji, Ayako Matsuoka, Iku Shinohara

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

105 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Exploration of energization and Radiation in Geospace (ERG) project aims to study acceleration and loss mechanisms of relativistic electrons around the Earth. The Arase (ERG) satellite was launched on December 20, 2016, to explore in the heart of the Earth’s radiation belt. In the present paper, we introduce the specifications of the Plasma Wave Experiment (PWE) on board the Arase satellite. In the inner magnetosphere, plasma waves, such as the whistler-mode chorus, electromagnetic ion cyclotron wave, and magnetosonic wave, are expected to interact with particles over a wide energy range and contribute to high-energy particle loss and/or acceleration processes. Thermal plasma density is another key parameter because it controls the dispersion relation of plasma waves, which affects wave–particle interaction conditions and wave propagation characteristics. The DC electric field also plays an important role in controlling the global dynamics of the inner magnetosphere. The PWE, which consists of an orthogonal electric field sensor (WPT; wire probe antenna), a triaxial magnetic sensor (MSC; magnetic search coil), and receivers named electric field detector (EFD), waveform capture and onboard frequency analyzer (WFC/OFA), and high-frequency analyzer (HFA), was developed to measure the DC electric field and plasma waves in the inner magnetosphere. Using these sensors and receivers, the PWE covers a wide frequency range from DC to 10 MHz for electric fields and from a few Hz to 100 kHz for magnetic fields. We produce continuous ELF/VLF/HF range wave spectra and ELF range waveforms for 24 h each day. We also produce spectral matrices as continuous data for wave direction finding. In addition, we intermittently produce two types of waveform burst data, “chorus burst” and “EMIC burst.” We also input raw waveform data into the software-type wave–particle interaction analyzer (S-WPIA), which derives direct correlation between waves and particles. Finally, we introduce our PWE observation strategy and provide some initial results.[Figure not available: see fulltext.].

Original languageEnglish
Article number86
Journalearth, planets and space
Volume70
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018 Dec 1

Keywords

  • Chorus
  • Geospace
  • Inner magnetosphere
  • Plasma wave
  • Radiation belt

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geology
  • Space and Planetary Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Plasma Wave Experiment (PWE) on board the Arase (ERG) satellite'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this