Dynamical Coupling of Energetic Electrons and Upper-Hybrid Thermal Fluctuations in the Earth s Radiation Belt

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Abstract
Abstract The inner magnetosphere including the radiation belt environment is replete with quasi-electrostatic fluctuations with peak frequency in the upper-hybrid frequency range. Some examples are demonstrated with the Van Allen Probe spacecraft data. These features have recently been explained in the framework of spontaneously emitted thermal noise theory. Such an environment is also characterized by quasi-isotropic population of energized electrons, which naturally leads one to ask whether these electrons and the upper-hybrid fluctuations influence each other. The present paper explores the potential causal relationship between the two features via kinetic theory. It is shown that indeed, isotropic energetic electrons and upper-hybrid frequency thermal fluctuations can be dynamically coupled and that they could coexist in a quasi-steady state manner.
Year of Publication
2020
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Volume
125
Date Published
03/2020
URL
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2019JA027748
DOI
10.1029/2019JA027748
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