Comparison of LFM-test particle simulations and radial diffusion models of radiation belt electron injection into the slot region

Other

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

2774 Radiation Belts

Scientific paper

The physics-based Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry (LFM) code simulates Earth's magnetospheric topology and dynamics by solving the equations of ideal MHD using input solar wind parameters at the upstream boundary. Comparison with electron phase space density evolution during storms using a radial diffusion code, as well as spacecraft measurements where available, will tell us when diffusion is insufficiently accurate for radiation belt simulation, for example, during CME-shock injection events like March 24, 1991, which occurred on MeV electron drift time scales of minutes (Li et al., 1993). The 2004 July and 2004 November storms, comparable in depth of penetration into the slot region to the Halloween 2003 storm, have been modeled with both approaches. The November 8, 2004 storm was preceded by a Storm Sudden Commencement produced by a CME-shock followed by minimum Dst = -373 nT, while the July 23 to July 28 storm interval had milder consecutive drops in Dst, corresponding to multiple CME shocks and southward IMF Bz turnings. We have run the November and July storms with LFM using ACE data as upstream input, running the July storm with lower temporal resolution over a longer time interval. The November storm was different because the SCC shock was unusually intense, therefore the possibility of drift time scale acceleration by the associated magnetosonic impulse produced by the shock exists, as in March 1991 and also Halloween 2003 events (Kress et al., 2007). It can then take a short time (minutes) for electrons to be transported to low L shell while conserving their first invariant, resulting in a peak in energy and phase space density in the slot region. Radial diffusion suffices for some storm periods like the July 2004 sequence of three storms, while the guiding center test particle simulation in MHD fields is necessary to describe prompt injections which occur faster than diffusive time scales, for which November 2004 is a likely candidate. Earlier examples have been studied, including the Kress et al., 2007 study of the Halloween 2003 storm and Li et al., 1993 study of the March 24, 1991 injection event with MHD simulation carried out by Elkington et al. (2002) for this event. Radial diffusion remains the best approach for extended relatively quiet periods like the two month interval following the March 1991 prompt injection. Strong shocks will inject particles into lower L shell within a few minutes violating the third adiabatic invariant, so the diffusion mechanism cannot be adopted for sudden commencements, when Dst increases then decreases drastically; however particle tracing in time-dependent MHD fields will give an accurate estimation, so radial diffusion and particle tracing in MHD fields complement each other in radiation belt studies. Elkington, S. R., M.K. Hudson, M.J. Wiltberger, J.G. Lyon (2002) JASTP, 64, p. 607-615; Kress B. T., M. K. Hudson, M. D. Looper, J. Albert, J. G. Lyon, C. C. Goodrich (2007), J. Geophys. Res., 112, A09215, doi:10.1029/2006JA012218; Li, X., I. Roth, M. Temerin, J. R. Wygant, M. K. Hudson, and J. B. Blake (1993), Geophys. Res. Lett., 20, p. 2423-2426.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Comparison of LFM-test particle simulations and radial diffusion models of radiation belt electron injection into the slot region 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 Comparison of LFM-test particle simulations and radial diffusion models of radiation belt electron injection into the slot region, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Comparison of LFM-test particle simulations and radial diffusion models of radiation belt electron injection into the slot region will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1099705

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.