Maestro: a new python framework for orchestrating ray tracing
simulations of radio frequency plasma waves in the magnetosphere
Abstract
We are studying the generation and propagation of whistler-mode waves
from the upper ionosphere into the magnetosphere. We are using a
ray-tracing approach to solve the wave propagation problem, which
enables low computational-cost, rapid parameter scans. This approach
also gives insights into the physics of wave propagation, through the
use of simplified models. We have developed a new python framework
called Maestro. It is designed to orchestrate the ray tracing
simulations, making them easier to setup, run, and analyze once
complete. Maestro ray tracing results will be shown for whistler waves
in simplified plasma geometries, illustrating the physics of whistler
propagation, ionospheric ducting of VLF waves, and magnetospheric
reflection. Results will also be shown for rays propagated in a more
realistic ionospheric model, as computed by the SAMI2/3 code. This
research is supported by the DARPA Defense Science Office