We have experimentally studied the influence of the local ionosphere, namely the ionospheric Alfvén resonator (IAR) and the lower ionospheric resonator at altitudes 80–300 km (sub-IAR) on the amplitude and polarization of the first Schumann resonance. The study is based on spectral analysis of data from simultaneous monitoring of ULF magnetic noise components at a meridional chain of stations: high-latitude stations Barentsburg and Lovozero, mid-latitude observatory NNGU NIRFI (NL, Nizhny Novgorod Region), a low-latitude station in Israel. We have also used monitoring data from the Borok and Crete observatories. At the stations in dark conditions, significant variations were found in the spectrum of the polarization parameter ε at the frequency of the first Schumann resonance (SR). Moreover, these variations had different character at different observatories. Analysis of the daily dynamics of the parameter ε has shown that these variations are associated with the influence of local sub-IAR having different optical thickness and quality factor at these observatories. The influence of sub-IAR on polarization in the SR band was found to depend on the ratio of the boundary frequency fb (the frequency that separates the negative and positive polarization of ULF magnetic noise) to the frequency of the first SR. The IAR influence on the polarization and amplitude of magnetic fields in the frequency band of the first Schumann resonance was discovered only at the NL and Lovozero stations: a high-quality Alfvén resonator in the ionosphere above the NL station could cause the SR frequency band to change and its central frequency to shift. Analysis of low-frequency data from the observatories separated by distances of 400 km has revealed that the influence of local ionospheric resonators can lead to a difference in the amplitude characteristics of the first SR even at such distances. It has also been shown that the influence of the IAR and sub-IAR resonators on the azimuthal angle of the magnetic field vector in the frequency band of the first SR is less noticeable and can generate variations in this parameter by 10°–20°. Numerical calculations performed for the spherical waveguide model made it possible to adequately interpret the features of the daily dynamics of the parameter ε in the frequency range of the first SR.

We develop an algorithm for calculating the characteristics of the magnetic field of signals in the frequency range of (0.1–20) Hz in the horizontally and vertically inhomogeneous spherical Earth‐ionosphere waveguide. This algorithm involves calculations of the surface impedance of an inhomogeneous ionosphere. The frequency dependences of the amplitude, phase and polarization of the magnetic field generated by a horizontal magnetic dipole were analyzed. It is shown that the horizontal inhomogeneity of the Earth‐ionosphere waveguide can significantly affect the frequency dependence of the amplitude and polarization of the magnetic field, increasing the degree of circular polarization. The horizontal inhomogeneity only slightly influences the results in daytime conditions. The most noticeable difference in the amplitude dependences of the magnetic components and large phase shifts (up to 40°) are observed when the terminator passes through the geodetic line connecting the source and receiver, and in the presence of sporadic layers with a horizontally inhomogeneous structure along the low‐frequency wave propagation path. We compare the calculation results with the magnetic pulsations recorded at Nurmijarvi station during the 2001 campaigns of Kola Peninsula ultra low frequency emitter operation. The obtained results make it possible to qualitatively explain peculiarities of the amplitude and polarization spectra of the artificial magnetic signals recorded in this campaigns that are not explained within the framework of the flat homogeneous waveguide model.

We simulate the magnetic field components in the frequency range 0.1–30 Hz from a source such as the horizontal magnetic dipole located in the Earth–ionosphere cavity. Models of uniform spherical and planar waveguides are considered, the advantages of each model are determined, and a comparative analysis of the simulation results is performed. The results of numerical calculations lead to the conclusion about the impact of the IAR (ionospheric Alfvén resonator) and sub-IAR (resonator at altitudes of 80–300 km) on the amplitude spectra of the ultra-low-frequency (ULF) signal. It is also shown that the appearance of strong sporadic layers (with a plasma frequency exceeding 5 MHz at their maxima) along the entire propagation path of ULF fields from the source to the receiver can strongly change the amplitude spectra of artificial signals. A significant increase in the amplitude of the magnetic field at the IAR harmonic frequencies can be observed at night. The sub-IAR effect is responsible for the appearance of a dependence of the amplitude of the magnetic components, which increases with frequency. Phase shifts between the horizontal components of the ULF signal and the spectra of the polarization parameter are also analyzed. It is shown that ionospheric resonators have almost no effect on the phase characteristics of artificial signals in a uniform waveguide approximation, in contrast to the polarization of magnetic ULF fields from a vertical electric dipole. The dependences of the amplitude of the magnetic field of a signal on the distance r to the source and on the direction to the source are also analyzed. It is shown that the dependence of the decay of the magnetic field amplitude with distance can differ significantly from the 1/r2 law. The radiation pattern is almost isotropic for k0r < 1, where k0 is the wave number in free space. The lines of equal amplitude are stretched along the direction of the current source for k0r ≥ 1.

In September 2019, on the Kola Peninsula, an experiment was carried out to generate ULF–ELF signals at night using two decommissioned industrial power lines as a horizontal emitting antenna. The line current was supplied from an external 200 kW generator. The current strength varied from 240 A at low frequencies (0.382 Hz) to 20 A at the highest (194 Hz). The paper presents the results of recording ULF signals at the Staraya Pustyn magnetic station, which is 1610 km from the power line. Signals with frequencies from 0.6 to 6.4 Hz were recorded. The signal amplitudes, normalized to the emitter current, varied in the range of 0.4–0.7 fT/A. For theoretical estimates, two models were used: (1) formulas from the theory of ELF field excitation in the Earth–ionosphere waveguide and (2) a numerical model of the ULF field in the atmosphere and ionosphere created by a linear surface current of infinite length. The numerical model is based on calculation of the system of Maxwell equations in a vertically inhomogeneous atmosphere and ionosphere, the parameters of which are calculated using the IRI model. A fundamental feature of model 2 is that it takes into account the contribution of the ionospheric waveguide propagation to the excited field at large distances at frequencies above the critical waveguide frequency of ~0.5 Hz. The dependence of the amplitude of the recorded signals from an artificial source on a frequency of 2–8 Hz has a nonmonotonic character, which may be a manifestation of the effects of waveguide propagation along the ionosphere.

In September 2019, two out-of-service power transmission lines were used as a horizontal emitting antenna in an experiment conducted on the Kola Peninsula to generate ultra-low-frequency (ULF, 0.38–6.4 Hz) and extremely low–frequency (ELF, 9.4–194 Hz) signals during nighttime hours. The current ranged from 240 A at low frequencies (LF, 0.382 Hz) to 20 A at the highest frequencies (194 Hz). The results of the recording of ULF signals at Staraya Pustyn magnetic station, which is 1610 km away from the transmission line, are presented. The recorded signals had frequencies of 0.6–6.4 Hz and amplitudes normalized to the value of the emitter current ~0.4–0.7 fT/A. Three models were used for theoretical estimates: (1) formulas based on the theory of ELF field excitation over a conducting surface; (2) a numerical model of the ULF field in the atmosphere and ionosphere generated by a linear surface current of infinite length, and (3) a numerical model of a horizontal dipole in the multilayer Earth–atmosphere–ionosphere medium. Model 2 is based on the numerical solution of the system of Maxwell equations in the vertically inhomogeneous atmosphere and ionosphere; its fundamental feature is that it takes into account the contribution of ionospheric waveguide propagation to the excited field at large distances. Model 3 demonstrated the best agreement with the amplitudes of the recorded signals. However, contrary to the predictions of models 1 and 3, the frequency dependence of the amplitude of artificial signals in the 2–8 Hz range is non-monotonic, which may be a manifestation of the effects of waveguide propagation along the ionosphere.

We study the dynamics of the spectra of multiband sporadic magnetic pulsations in the Pc1 range (0.2–5.0 Hz) during the event of 5–6 March 2011 by using ground-based magnetic measurements at stations largely spaced from each other in latitude and longitude. The event is characterized by a long duration (about 16 h), the presence of several bands with varying frequencies, splitting of these bands into narrower subbands, significant variations in the amplitude and polarization of the signals on the ground, and their observation in a wide range of latitudes and longitudes. On the basis of a joint analysis of the Pc1 pulsation properties and the data of low-orbiting spacecraft detecting localized precipitations of energetic protons into the ionosphere, we infer the possible generation regions of these waves in the magnetosphere and conclude that they are multiple. The results of analysis allowed us to determine the mechanisms of broadening and splitting of Pc1 frequency bands even in the absence of direct wave observations in the magnetosphere. We also propose an explanation of the atypical (for ground-based detection) character of two-band Pc1 spectra when the signal at frequencies above the helium ion gyrofrequency has a higher amplitude than at lower frequencies. We also explain the inhomogeneous frequency profile of polarization in different frequency bands. Possible variations in the magnetospheric plasma parameters that resulted in the observed dynamics of amplitude and polarization spectra of Pc1 pulsations are revealed by using calculations of the wave cyclotron amplification by energetic protons in the magnetosphere.

A significant difference was found in the amplitude and polarization spectra of ULF magnetic noise at stations with a base of 120 km during periods of absence of regional thunderstorm activity. A simultaneous analysis of low-frequency data and ionosonde data allowed us to conclude that the difference in the main parameters of the polarization spectrum at two stations is due to the appearance of sporadic Es layers having a nonuniform horizontal intensity distribution with characteristic scales of the order of the base between stations. A difference in the depth of variations in the polarization parameter ε was also found during the ionosphere recovery after magnetic storms. It could be related with Es layers, which had not only a nonuniform intensity distribution, but were also located at different altitudes. A difference was found in the frequency scales of the spectral resonance structure during recording of time variations of its fundamental frequencies. Numerical calculations of the parameter ε with specifying model Es layers and electron-density profiles corrected at the altitudes of the ionospheric F layer adequately explained the observed difference in the magnetic noise spectra and allowed us to determine the altitudes at which the horizontal ionospheric irregularity existed. The studies were carried out on the basis of records of horizontal magnetic components at Radiophysical Research Institute midlatitude observatories Novaya Zhizn (56° N, 45.74° E) and Staraya Pustyn (55.66° N, 43.63° E, 120 km east of the first reception point).

This paper presents observations of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves from multiple data sources during the four Geospace Environment Modeling challenge events in 2013 selected by the Geospace Environment Modeling Quantitative Assessment of Radiation Belt Modeling focus group: 17 and 18 March (stormtime enhancement), 31 May to 2 June (stormtime dropout), 19 and 20 September (nonstorm enhancement), and 23-25 September (nonstorm dropout). Observations include EMIC wave data from the Van Allen Probes, Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, and Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms spacecraft in the near-equatorial magnetosphere and from several arrays of ground-based search coil magnetometers worldwide, as well as localized ring current proton precipitation data from low-altitude Polar Operational Environmental Satellite spacecraft. Each of these data sets provides only limited spatial coverage, but their combination shows consistent occurrence patterns and reveals some events that would not be identified as significant using near-equatorial spacecraft alone. Relativistic and ultrarelativistic electron flux observations, phase space density data, and pitch angle distributions based on data from the Relativistic Electron-Proton Telescope and Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometer instruments on the Van Allen Probes during these events show two cases during which EMIC waves are likely to have played an important role in causing major flux dropouts of ultrarelativistic electrons, particularly near L*similar to 4.0. In three other cases, identifiable smaller and more short-lived dropouts appeared, and in five other cases, these waves evidently had little or no effect.

We study the causes of sporadic and long-term variations in the polarization spectrum of the ultralow-frequency (ULF) magnetic background noise at midlatitudes. Data records of low-frequency horizontal magnetic components at the Novaya Zhizn midlatitude observatory of the Radiophysical Research Institute (56 ° N, 45.74 ° E) and the Japanese station Moshiri (44.37 ° N, 142.27 ° E) were used. Ionosonde data from the sites located in Russia (Vasilsursk station) and in Japan (Wakkanai station) were also analyzed. The effect of the sporadic E s layers on the frequency spectrum of noise polarization was detected. It is shown that the appearance of quite intense sporadic Es layers with the cutoff frequencies f0E s > 3–5 MHz can significantly alter the polarization spectrum parameters, which is due to variations in the optical depth and Q factor of the sub-ionospheric Alfvén resonator (sub-IAR) formed by the valley between the E and F regions. Numerical simulation of the polarization parameters of the background noise using the IRI-2012 model corrected by the ionosonde data confirmed that the Es layer about 5 km thick, with the cutoff frequencies f0E s > 3–5 MHz, may lead to a sharp decrease in the boundary frequency f b between the frequency ranges of the left- and right-hand polarized noise, or even to a complete disappearance of the sub-IAR manifestation in the polarization parameter spectrum. Numerical calculations have also revealed the impact of the altitude position of the E s layer on the Q factor of the sub-IAR. The effect of variations in the altitude and cutoff frequency of the F-layer maximum, as well as the electron density at the altitudes of the E layer and the valley, on the features of the diurnal dynamics of the ULF noise polarization spectra is discussed.

Characteristic feature of the upper ionosphere is the occurrence of the ionospheric Alfvén resonator (IAR) and MHD waveguide, which can trap the electromagnetic waves in the frequency range from fractions of Hz to few Hz. The proposed numerical model is based on the solution of MHD equations in a realistic ionosphere, whose parameters are reconstructed from the IRI model. We estimated, both analytically and numerically, a critical, wave scale dependent, value of the Hall conductance when a wave equation for an uncoupled Alfvénic mode can be used to estimate the spectral parameters of the IAR. The model has enabled us to compare the contributions into the IAR Q-factor of the Joule dissipation in the lower ionosphere and a wave leakage into the magnetosphere. The first mechanism dominates during daytime, whereas the latter mechanism prevails during nighttime. The ground signatures of IAR can be used for monitoring of the F-layer plasma density and vertical total electron content on the basis of relationships derived from the developed IAR model.

We study the dynamics of the geomagnetic-pulsation spectra at unusually high frequencies (including the frequencies exceeding the Schumann resonance frequency 8 Hz), which were detected for the first time at the Novaya Zhizn’ midlatitude station (the McIlwain parameter L = 2.6) at the time of a strong magnetic storm on November 07–14, 2004. To interpret the observed pulsation frequencies, we used the data from the NOAA low-orbit satellites which recorded localized precipitations of energetic protons (with energies of 30 to 80 keV) and calculations of the singlepass cyclotron amplification of electromagnetic ion–cyclotron waves. Amplitude and polarization characteristics of the radiation spectra at frequencies of up to 15 Hz at the Novaya Zhizn’ and Lovozero stations (L = 5.2) are compared. It is shown that the magnetic field oscillations in the frequency range 7–15 Hz correlate with proton precipitations and proton auroras at geomagnetic latitudes 50°–57° (L = 2.42–3.37). It is also shown that for a high anisotropy of the pitch-angle distribution of the ring-current protons at such low geomagnetic latitudes, the frequency spectrum of observed high-frequency radiation agrees well with the calculated location of the maximum of the single-pass cyclotron amplification of electromagnetic ion–cyclotron waves. Analysis of the data and calculation results has led to the conclusion that inherently the recorded signals are a high-frequency counterpart of the Pc1 pulsations and are due to the generation of ion–cyclotron waves in the magnetosphere at unusually low latitudes, which are probably stipulated by the shift of the plasma pause to these latitudes during a strong magnetic storm.

We study the effect of the masking factor from the local thunderstorm cells on ULF magnetic field spectra with the inhomogeneous electron-density structures existing in the local ionosphere (ionospheric and lower ionospheric Alfvén resonators). Using an original data-processing technique for recording of horizontal magnetic components at the midlatitude reception point Novaya Zhizn’, we have examined the contribution of the sources located at different distances from the reception point to the formation of the background noise spectra. The ULF signal processing technique permitted us to reduce the pulse component of magnetic noise in amplitude above a certain threshold and thus rule out the effect of a local thunderstorm activity. Frequency dependences of the azimuthal angle of the principal axis of the magnetic noise polarization ellipse are also analyzed. It is shown that the presence of the lower ionospheric Alfvén resonator leads to a nonmonotonic dependence of the azimuthal angle on the frequency. It was found that the local thunderstorms within 60–80 km from the reception point completely mask the manifestation of the lower ionospheric Alfvén resonator in the ULF noise polarization parameters. To spot the local thunderstorm cells, we used the data from the meteorological radar facility MRL-4 in Nizhny Novgorod.

A comprehensive study of artificial ionospheric signal generation in the ULF/VLF bands at SURA facility in Russia was conducted during the past 4 years. We investigated the influence of geomagnetic activity on the characteristics of artificial low-frequency signals under the background of increasing solar activity. No correlation of artificial ULF signals with variations of Earth’s magnetic field was observed for weak geomagnetic disturbances \((Kp \le 3)\) while the VLF signals increased in the growth phase of the geomagnetic perturbation. In case of strong magnetic storm \((Kp \ge 5+)\) a tendency of the amplitude of the ULF/VLF signals decrease with increasing magnetic disturbance was observed. Sometimes, the modulation of artificial ULF signals with a period of 15–30 s was detected in the decay phase of magnetic storms. During storm time, a change in the polarization of artificial VLF emissions was detected. The right polarization becomes predominant. Interpretation of observed peculiarities of artificial VLF signals is given in the context of the physical mechanism of ionospheric current drive by RF pumping.

We model long-period (similar to 2h) irregular pulsations in the ellipticity of magnetic background noise (MBN) in the upper ULF band which were frequently observed during nighttime at a low-latitude site on the Island of Crete. It is shown that such pulsations cannot be reproduced in the calculations when using the ionosphere parameters from the statistical IRI (International Reference Ionosphere) model, while regular diurnal signatures of the ellipticity spectrum at sunset and sunrise are successfully reproduced. We apply the same approach to the location of the Arecibo incoherent scatter radar and show that using actually measured ionosphere profiles (up to a height of 400km) instead of IRI profiles produces the ellipticity pulsations very similar to those observed at Crete. Comparison of model results with the calculated behavior of Alfven mode refractive index allows us to conclude that the observed nighttime long-period irregular pulsations in the MBN ellipticity are caused by dynamic processes at the upper boundary of the ionospheric E-F valley which serves as a subionospheric Alfven resonator. Irregular widening, shrinking, and/or deepening of the valley with time scales of 1 to 4h affect the electrodynamical properties of this resonator and manifest themselves in the magnetic background noise properties.