Generation of circularly polarized radio waves within magnetic holes of the solar wind

The possibility of nonlinear interaction between Langmuir waves and ion-aco ustic waves in the solar wind has received considerable interest in the las t years. However, little attention has been paid to the possibility of nonl inear coupling between Langmuir waves and whistler waves in the interplanet ary medium. Close temporal correlation between high-frequency Langmuir wave s and low-frequency electromagnetic whistler waves has been observed recent ly within magnetic holes of the solar wind. In order to account for these o bservations within magnetic holes of the solar wind, we develop a nonlinear three-wave theory describing the parametric interaction of Langmuir waves, electromagnetic whistler waves with either right- or left-hand circularly polarized electromagnetic waves. We suggest that the nonlinear coupling of Langmuir waves and whistler waves may lead to the formation of modulated La ngmuir wave packets as well as the generation of circularly polarized radio waves at the plasma frequency in the solar wind. (C) 2000 Published by Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.