Observations of plasma waves in the colliding jet region of a magnetic flux rope flanked by two active X lines at the subsolar magnetopause

We have performed a detailed analysis of plasma and wave observations in a magnetic flux rope encountered by the THEMIS‐D spacecraft at the subsolar magnetopause. The extent of the flux rope was ∼270 ion skin depths in the outflow direction, and it was flanked by two active X lines producing colliding plasma jets in the flux rope core where ion heating and suprathermal electrons were observed. The colliding jet region was highly dynamic and characterized by enhanced wave power in a broad frequency range. High‐frequency waves, including ion acoustic‐like waves, electron holes, and whistler mode waves, were observed in a limited spatial region near the flux rope center and did not appear to be associated with the observed large‐scale heating and energization. Low‐frequency kinetic Alfvén waves, on the other hand, were enhanced in the entire flux rope core, suggesting a possible link with the observed ion heating.