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Main Authors: Mu, Zhoufan, Chen, Yao, Li, Tangmu, Ni, Sulan, Zhang, Zilong, Ning, Hao
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.15542
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_version_ 1866909797473845248
author Mu, Zhoufan
Chen, Yao
Li, Tangmu
Ni, Sulan
Zhang, Zilong
Ning, Hao
author_facet Mu, Zhoufan
Chen, Yao
Li, Tangmu
Ni, Sulan
Zhang, Zilong
Ning, Hao
contents The Z-to-O mode conversion at the density gradient is the prevailing mechanism of narrowband (NB) radio emission in planetary magnetosphere. Most previous numerical models were for NB emission observed in the Earth magnetosphere, using the cold plasma fluid approximation that excluded any kinetic effect. Here we investigate the Z-to-O conversion process underlying the Saturn's 20 kHz NB emission, using the fully-kinetic and electromagnetic particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation. We simulate the whole process starting from the pumping of the Z mode, to its propagation and reflection, and further conversion into the O mode radiation. The energy conversion rate of the Z-to-O process is estimated to be 10-20%. This provides the first quantitative estimate of such rate with PIC simulations.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2509_15542
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Particle in cell simulation on mode conversion of Saturn's 20 kHz narrowband radio emission
Mu, Zhoufan
Chen, Yao
Li, Tangmu
Ni, Sulan
Zhang, Zilong
Ning, Hao
Space Physics
The Z-to-O mode conversion at the density gradient is the prevailing mechanism of narrowband (NB) radio emission in planetary magnetosphere. Most previous numerical models were for NB emission observed in the Earth magnetosphere, using the cold plasma fluid approximation that excluded any kinetic effect. Here we investigate the Z-to-O conversion process underlying the Saturn's 20 kHz NB emission, using the fully-kinetic and electromagnetic particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation. We simulate the whole process starting from the pumping of the Z mode, to its propagation and reflection, and further conversion into the O mode radiation. The energy conversion rate of the Z-to-O process is estimated to be 10-20%. This provides the first quantitative estimate of such rate with PIC simulations.
title Particle in cell simulation on mode conversion of Saturn's 20 kHz narrowband radio emission
topic Space Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.15542