A theory for the radiation at the third to fifth harmonics of the plasma frequency upstream from the earth's bow shock

A theory involving the process L + T' - T is proposed for the observed third to fifth harmonics of the plasma frequency observed upstream from the earth's bow shock. The conditions for which the theory may explain the observed radiation are determined, and the viability of the theory is discussed. The theory is found to require L waves with temperature between about 10 to the 21st and 10 to the 22nd K in the source regions to account for the levels and number of harmonics of the observed radiation. Such L wave temperatures are theoretically possible in the foreshock, but are not consistent with the most intense observed L waves.