Statistical Properties of Lower Hybrid Waves in the Magnetopause Reconnection Exhaust Region

Lower hybrid waves (LHWs) are frequently observed associated with magnetic reconnection. A general picture of the statistical properties of LHWs in magnetopause reconnection, however, has not yet been established. Here we report such a statistical study of LHWs using magnetospheric multiscale mission data in the magnetopause reconnection exhaust region. LHWs are identified in reconnection outflow regions over a broad range of magnetic local time. Most of the LHWs are near strong density gradients located on the low-density magnetospheric side of the reconnection layer. The wave amplitude is typically several mV/m but can occasionally reach a few tens of mV/m. Compared with intervals that do not exhibit LHWs, intervals with LHWs show a & SIM;50% increase in parallel electron temperature, providing statistical evidence that LHWs contribute to parallel electron heating in reconnection exhausts and the dayside low-latitude boundary layer.