Dynamic evolution of energetic outer zone electrons due to wave-particle interactions during storms
Author | |
Keywords | |
Abstract |
[1] Relativistic electrons in the outer radiation belt are subjected to pitch angle and energy diffusion by chorus, electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC), and hiss waves. Using quasi-linear diffusion coefficients for cyclotron resonance with field-aligned waves, we examine whether the resonant interactions with chorus waves produce a net acceleration or loss of relativistic electrons. We also examine the effect of pitch angle scattering by EMIC and hiss waves during the main and recovery phases of a storm. The numerical simulations show that wave-particle interactions with whistler mode chorus waves with realistic wave spectral properties result in a net acceleration of relativistic electrons, while EMIC waves, which provide very fast scattering near the edge of the loss cone, may be a dominant loss mechanism during the main phase of a storm. In addition, hiss waves are effective in scattering equatorially mirroring electrons and may be an important mechanism of transporting high pitch angle electrons toward the loss cone.
|
Year of Publication |
2007
|
Journal |
Journal of Geophysical Research
|
Volume |
112
|
Date Published |
10/2007
|
ISSN Number |
0148-0227
|
URL |
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2007JA012368/full
|
DOI |
10.1029/2007JA012368
|
Download citation |