THEMIS Pi2 observations near dawn and dusk sectors in the inner magnetosphere

The most frequently suggested source for Pi2 pulsations in the inner magnetosphere (L < 4) is standing fast-mode waves trapped in the plasmasphere (i.e., plasmaspheric resonances). They have been considered as the source of low-latitude Pi2 pulsations. The plasmaspheric resonance model suggests that compressional fast-mode waves can be detected at all local times inside the plasmasphere provided reflection of the wave energy is efficient. Until now, however, there are no reports about compressional Pi2s observed in the dayside inner magnetosphere. That is, there is longitudinal limit of inner magnetosphere. In February 2008, THEMIS probes were near dawn and/or dusk sides, which are the transition regions between the nightside and dayside, in the inner magnetosphere (L = 2-4) when low-altitude Pi2s were identified at Bohyun (L = 1.35) station in Korea. Using the THEMIS electric field data, we examined if Pi2s are excited by longitudinally localized disturbances. We found that compressional Pi2s having high coherence with a low-latitude Pi2 pulsation occur on dawnside. However, any compressional pulsations in the Pi2 frequency band were not detected on duskside. This indicates that compressional Pi2s disappear near the duskside. Our observations are discussed with spatial plasmaspheric structure and possible Pi2 mechanisms.