Kinetic Alfvén waves at the magnetopause-mode conversion, transport and formation of LLBL

At the magnetopause, large amplitude, low frequency (ULF), transverse MHD waves are nearly always observed. These waves likely result from mode conversion of compressional MHD waves observed in the magnetosheath to kinetic Alfven waves at the magnetopause where there is a steep gradient in the Alfven velocity [Johnson and Cheng, Geophys. Res. Lett., 24, 1423, (1997)]. The mode conversion process can explain the following wave observations typically found during satellite crossings of the magnetopause: (1) a dramatic change in wave polarization from compressional in the magnetosheath to transverse at the magnetopause, (2) an amplification of wave amplitude at the magnetopause, (3) a change in Poynting flux from crossfield in the magnetosheath to field-aligned at the magnetopause, and (4) a steepening in the wave power spectrum at the magnetopause. We examine magnetic field data from a set of ISEE1, ISEE2, and WIND magnetopause crossings and compare with the predictions of theoretical wave solutions based on the kinetic-fluid model with particular attention to the role of magnetic field rotation across the magnetopause. The results of the study suggest a good qualitative agreement between the observations and the theory of mode conversion to kinetic Alfven waves. Because mode converted kinetic Alfven waves readily decouple particles from the magnetic field lines, efficient quasilinear transport (D ~ 10⁹m²/s) can occur. Moreover, if the wave amplitude is sufficiently large (B_wave/B₀ > 0.2) stochastic particle transport also occurs. This wave induced transport can lead to significant heating and particle entry into the low latitude boundary layer across closed field lines.