Ducting Propagation of Whistler Waves Inside Magnetic Peaks: Considering Hot Electron Effects

Abstract Recent studies have demonstrated that whistler‐mode waves in the terrestrial magnetosphere can be trapped inside a magnetic peak under the cold plasma approximation. However, the effect of hot electrons on the ducting propagation of whistler waves by the magnetic peak remains uncovered yet. Here, using kinetic theory to include the contribution of hot electrons, we have shown that magnetic peaks could still prompt a ducting effect on the propagation of whistler waves, even when hot electrons dominate. Moreover, we performed a parameter analysis and found that for a higher fractional density of hot electrons or electrons with a higher temperature, a larger refractive index is required for whistler waves to be trapped. These theoretical results have been verified with an observational event of the Van Allen Probe mission, suggesting the necessity to consider hot electrons, especially when discussing the propagation of whistler waves in magnetic peaks outside the plasmasphere.