Electron scattering by whistler-mode ELF hiss in plasmaspheric plumes

Details Electron scattering by whistler-mode ELF hiss in plasmaspheric plumes Electron scattering by whistler-mode ELF hiss in plasmaspheric plumes

Apr 2008

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008jgra..11304219s&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 113, Issue A4, CiteID A04219

Physics

Plasma Physics

19

Magnetospheric Physics: Radiation Belts, Magnetospheric Physics: Plasmasphere, Space Plasma Physics: Wave/Particle Interactions (2483, 6984), Magnetospheric Physics: Energetic Particles: Precipitating

Scientific paper

Nonadiabatic loss processes of radiation belt energetic electrons include precipitation loss to the atmosphere due to pitch-angle scattering by various magnetospheric plasma wave modes. Here we consider electron precipitation loss due to pitch-angle scattering by whistler-mode ELF hiss in plasmaspheric plumes. Using wave observations and inferred plasma densities from the Plasma Wave Experiment on the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES), we analyze plume intervals for which well-determined hiss spectral intensities are available. We then select 14 representative plumes for detailed study, comprising 10 duskside plumes and 4 nonduskside plumes, with local hiss amplitudes ranging from maximum values of above 300 pT to minimum values of less than 1 pT. We estimate the electron loss timescale τ loss due to pitch-angle scattering by hiss in each chosen plume as a function of L-shell and electron energy; τ loss is calculated from quasi-linear theory as the inverse of the bounce-averaged diffusion rate evaluated at the equatorial loss cone angle. We find that pitch-angle scattering by hiss in plumes can be efficient for inducing precipitation loss of outer-zone electrons with energies throughout the range 100 keV to 1 MeV, though the magnitude of τ loss can be highly dependent on wave power, L-shell, and electron energy. For 100- to 200-keV electrons, typically τ loss ~ 1 day while the minimum loss timescale (τ loss ) min ~ hours. For 500-keV to 1-MeV electrons, typically (τ loss ) min ~ days, while (τ loss ) min < 1 day in the case of large wave amplitude (~100's pT). Apart from inducing direct precipitation loss of MeV electrons, scattering by hiss in plumes may reduce the generation of MeV electrons by depleting the lower energy electron seed population. Models of the dynamical variation of the outer-zone electron flux should incorporate electron precipitation loss induced by ELF hiss scattering in plasmaspheric plumes.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Electron scattering by whistler-mode ELF hiss in plasmaspheric plumes does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Electron scattering by whistler-mode ELF hiss in plasmaspheric plumes, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electron scattering by whistler-mode ELF hiss in plasmaspheric plumes will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1703858