A Three-Dimensional Ray-Tracing Study of R-X Mode Waves during High Geomagnetic Activity

We further present a three-dimensional (3D) ray-tracing study on the propagation characteristic of the superluminous R-X mode waves during high geomagnetic activity following our recent two-dimensional results J. Geophys. Res. 112(2007)A10214. We perform numerical calculations for this mode which originates at specific altitude r=2.0R_E in the source cavity along a 70° night geomagnetic field line. We demonstrate that the ray path of the R-X mode is essentially governed by the azimuthal angle of the wave vector k. Ray paths starting with azimuthal angle 180° (or in the meridian plane) can reach the lowest latitude, but stay at relatively higher latitudes with the azimuthal angles other than 180° (or off the meridian plane). The results further supports the previous finding that the R-X mode may be physically
present in the radiation belts under appropriate conditions.