DevaluatedPCindexPublications

The present note provides a summary of publications devaluted by their use of invalid Polar Cap (PC) indices. Description: Polar Cap (PC) indices derived from polar magnetic variations reflect the intensity of transpolar ionospheric currents. These currents relate to polar cap antisunward ionospheric plasma convection driven by dawn-dusk electric fields generated by the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetosphere. Parameters to calculate PCN (North) and PCS (South) index values from polar magnetic variations recorded at Thule and Vostok, respectively, have been derived by several different procedures in the past. The present note discusses PC index versions that have been harmed by documented errors or mistakes in the derivation procedure to generate invalid PC index values. Such invalid PC indices have been submitted to the community without cautioning users even in cases, where the processing errors were known to the index provider. The present work demonstrates based on earlier published criticism that the use of invalid PC indices has devaluated a large number of publications. The adverse impact is documented and the affected publications are listed and referenced. Keywords: - polar cap phenomena - polar cap index - solar wind/magnetosphere interactions - magnetosphere/ionosphere interaction - space weather