Coherent multiple Pc1 pulsation bands: possible evidence for the ionospheric Alfvén resonator

Abstract

Abstract. A fair fraction of Pc1 pulsation events observed on the ground includes more than one simultaneous pulsation band. In most such multiband events the bands display different characteristics and, therefore, come from different source regions via horizontal ducting in the ionosphere. However, in this report we identify a new "coherent" subclass of multiband Pc1 events where the pearls of the simultaneous bands have the same group velocities (repetition rates) as well as dispersion and other properties, thus implying that the bands are produced by the same source. Studying one example of such a coherent multiband event in more detail, we argue that these events defy an explanation in terms of band splitting by magnetospheric heavy ions because the observed frequency gap between the bands is smaller than would result in such a case. We interpret these events to be due to the frequency dependence of the ionospheric reflection coefficient of Alfvén waves. An oscillatory frequency dependence of the coefficient is a natural consequence of the idea that the ionosphere acts as a resonator for Alfvén waves. We also discuss other predictions of this interpretation.