The origin of the Kilometric Continuum(KC)is usually attributed to the linear mode conversion window theory,yet direct evidence has been lacking.Here we present an event where electrostatic waves,Z-mode,and KC were ob...The origin of the Kilometric Continuum(KC)is usually attributed to the linear mode conversion window theory,yet direct evidence has been lacking.Here we present an event where electrostatic waves,Z-mode,and KC were observed simultaneously near the magnetic equator by the Van Allen Probes.We identify the radio window(the region for mode conversion taking place)at L=4.059 by solving the fully-thermal dispersion relation.Ray tracing simulations show that the backward-propagating electrostatic mode can smoothly transition to Z-mode.Then,Z-mode can convert to KC when its direction shifts to parallel or anti-parallel propagation at the radio window,which aligns with observations.This study provides direct evidence that supports the linear mode conversion theory as an effective mechanism for KC generation.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China grants 42074198,42230209 and 42374215the Scientific Research Fund of Hunan Provincial Education Department Grants 21A0212,Post-graduate Scientific Research Innovation Project of Hunan Province CX20240804.
文摘The origin of the Kilometric Continuum(KC)is usually attributed to the linear mode conversion window theory,yet direct evidence has been lacking.Here we present an event where electrostatic waves,Z-mode,and KC were observed simultaneously near the magnetic equator by the Van Allen Probes.We identify the radio window(the region for mode conversion taking place)at L=4.059 by solving the fully-thermal dispersion relation.Ray tracing simulations show that the backward-propagating electrostatic mode can smoothly transition to Z-mode.Then,Z-mode can convert to KC when its direction shifts to parallel or anti-parallel propagation at the radio window,which aligns with observations.This study provides direct evidence that supports the linear mode conversion theory as an effective mechanism for KC generation.
