Cyclotron acceleration of radiation belt electrons by whistlers

Physics – Plasma Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

15

Space Plasma Physics: Charged Particle Motion And Acceleration, Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetosphere-Inner, Magnetospheric Physics: Energetic Particles, Trapped, Space Plasma Physics: Wave/Particle Interactions

Scientific paper

After reviewing briefly the theory of the gyroresonant interactions between a quasimonochromatic whistler-mode wave and energetic electrons trapped in the magnetosphere, we extend this theory to consider such interactions for a natural whistler arising from a lightning discharge in the Earth's atmosphere. It is shown that, near the equatorial plane of the magnetosphere, whistler components above the nose frequency can accelerate energetic electrons. This acceleration takes place when the gyroresonant electrons are trapped by the wave field. The acceleration rate in this regime is much greater than is stochastic acceleration in the untrapped regime. It is not accompanied by pitch angle scattering which characterizes the untrapped regime. For example, at L = 3, a gyroresonant electron with an energy of ~6 keV and a pitch angle of 45° could have its energy increased by ~24% to 7.4 keV and its pitch angle changed to 70° after a single interaction with a whistler whose frequency changes from 1/3 to 1/2 the equatorial gyrofrequency. Highly anisotropic distributions of van Allen radiation belt electrons with ``pancake'' pitch angle distributions can result from such an acceleration.

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

Cyclotron acceleration of radiation belt electrons by whistlers 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 Cyclotron acceleration of radiation belt electrons by whistlers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cyclotron acceleration of radiation belt electrons by whistlers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1005240

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