A simulation approach of high-frequency electrostatic waves found in Saturn's magnetosphere

Abstract

Using a particle-in-cell simulation, the characteristics of electron plasma and electron acoustic waves are investigated in plasmas containing an ion and two electron components. The electron velocities are modeled by a combination of two κ distributions. The model applies to the extended plasma sheet region in Saturn's magnetosphere where the cool and hot electron velocities are found to have low indices, κ_c~=2 and κ_h~=4. For such low values of κ_c and κ_h, the electron plasma and electron acoustic waves are coupled. The model predicts weakly damped electron plasma waves while electron acoustic waves should also be observable, although less prominent.