On the generation of plasma waves in Saturn's inner magnetosphere

Abstract

Voyager 1 plasma wave measurements of Saturn's inner magnetosphere are reviewed with regard to interpretative aspects of the wave spectrum. A comparison of the wave emission profile with the electron plasma frequency obtained from in situ measurements of the thermal ion density shows good agreement with various features in the wave data identified as electrostatic modes and electromagnetic radio waves. Theoretical calculations of the critical flux of superthermal electrons able to generate whistler‐mode waves and electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic waves through a loss‐cone instability are presented. The comparison of model results with electron measurements shows excellent agreement lending support to the conclusion that a moderate perpendicular anisotropy in the hot electron distribution is present in the equatorial region of L = 5‐8.