Global distribution of electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic waves observed on THEMIS

• A global, statistical analysis of electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) waves is performed using THEMIS wave data. Our results confirm the high occurrence of <1 mV/m ECH emissions throughout the outer magnetosphere (L > 5). The strongest (>= 1 mV/m) ECH waves are enhanced during geomagnetically disturbed periods, and are mainly confined close to the magnetic equator (|lambda| < 3 degrees) over the region L <= 10 in the night and dawn MLT sector. ECH wave intensities within 3 degrees <= |lambda| < 6 degrees are generally much weaker but not negligible especially for L < similar to 12 on the midnight side. Furthermore, the occurrence rates and variability of moderately intense (>= 0.1 mV/m) ECH emissions suggest that ECH wave scattering could contribute to diffuse auroral precipitation in the outer (L > 8) magnetosphere where chorus emissions are statistically weak.

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