Frequency Chirping of Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves in Earth's Magnetosphere

Abstract

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are known to exhibit frequency chirping occasionally, contributing to the rapid acceleration and precipitation of energetic particles in the magnetosphere. However, the chirping mechanism of EMIC waves remains elusive. In this work, a phenomenological model of whistler mode chorus waves named the Trap‐Release‐Amplify (TaRA) model is applied to EMIC waves. Based on the proposed model, we explain how the chirping of EMIC waves occurs, and give predictions on their frequency chirping rates. For the first time, we relate the frequency chirping rate of EMIC waves to both the wave amplitude and the background magnetic field inhomogeneity. Direct observational evidence is provided to validate the model using previously published events of chirping EMIC waves. Our results not only provide a new model for EMIC wave frequency chirping, but more importantly, they indicate the potential wide applicability of the underlying principles of TaRA model.