On the variability of EMIC waves and the consequences for the relativistic electron radiation belt population

We present a statistical study of relativistic electron counts in the electron radiation belt across a range of drift shells (L*>4) combining data from nine combined X-ray dosimeters (CXD) on the global positioning system (GPS) constellation. The response of the electron counts as functions of time, energy and drift shell are examined statistically for 67 solar wind stream interfaces (SIs); two-dimensional superposed epoch analysis is performed with the CXD data. For these epochs we study the radiation belt dropouts and concurrent variations in key geophysical parameters. At higher L* we observe a tendency for a gradual drop in the electron counts over the day preceding the SI, consistent with outward diffusion and magnetopause shadowing. At all L*, dropouts occur with a median time scale of ≃7 h and median counts fall by 0.4–1.8 orders of magnitude. The central tendencies of radiation belt dropout and recovery depend on both L* and energy. For ≃70 per cent of epochs Sym-H more than −30 nT, yet only three of 67 SIs did not have an associated dropout in the electron data. Statistical maps of electron precipitation suggest that chorus-driven relativistic electron microbursts might be major contributors to radiation belt losses under high-speed stream driving.

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Statistical analysis of outer electron radiation belt dropouts: geosynchronous and low earth orbit responses during solar wind stream interfaces

2011 XXXth URSI General Assembly and Scientific Symposium ◽

10.1109/ursigass.2011.6123725 ◽

2011 ◽

Author(s):

O. Ogunjobi ◽

A. B. Collier ◽

C. J. Rodger

Keyword(s):

Solar Wind ◽

Statistical Analysis ◽

Radiation Belt ◽

Low Earth Orbit ◽

Earth Orbit ◽

Electron Radiation ◽

Solar Wind Stream ◽

Outer Electron

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On the effect of ULF waves on the outer radiation belt during geomagnetic storms

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-5977 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Christopher Lara ◽

Pablo S. Moya ◽

Victor Pinto ◽

Javier Silva ◽

Beatriz Zenteno

Keyword(s):

Relativistic Electron ◽

Radiation Belt ◽

Geomagnetic Storms ◽

Cumulative Effect ◽

Radiation Belts ◽

Ulf Waves ◽

Relativistic Electrons ◽

Relative Role ◽

Outer Radiation Belt ◽

Ulf Wave

<p>The inner magnetosphere is a very important region to study, as with satellite-based communications increasing day after day, possible disruptions are especially relevant due to the possible consequences in our daily life. It is becoming very important to know how the radiation belts behave, especially during strong geomagnetic activity. The radiation belts response to geomagnetic storms and solar wind conditions is still not fully understood, as relativistic electron fluxes in the outer radiation belt can be depleted, enhanced or not affected following intense activity. Different studies show how these results vary in the face of different events. As one of the main mechanisms affecting the dynamics of the radiation belt are wave-particle interactions between relativistic electrons and ULF waves. In this work we perform a statistical study of the relationship between ULF wave power and relativistic electron fluxes in the outer radiation belt during several geomagnetic storms, by using magnetic field and particle fluxes data measured by the Van Allen Probes between 2012 and 2017. We evaluate the correlation between the changes in flux and the cumulative effect of ULF wave activity during the main and recovery phases of the storms for different position in the outer radiation belt and energy channels. Our results show that there is a good correlation between the presence of ULF waves and the changes in flux during the recovery phase of the storm and that correlations vary as a function of energy. Also, we can see in detail how the ULF power change for the electron flux at different L-shell We expect these results to be relevant for the understanding of the relative role of ULF waves in the enhancements and depletions of energetic electrons in the radiation belts for condition described.</p>

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Trapping and amplification of unguided mode EMIC waves in the radiation belt

10.21203/rs.3.rs-132689/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Geng Wang ◽

Zhonglei Gao ◽

Mingyu Wu ◽

Guoqiang Wang ◽

Sudong Xiao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Radiation Belt ◽

Abundance Ratio ◽

Relativistic Electrons ◽

Scattering Loss ◽

Propagation Behavior ◽

Guided Mode ◽

Waves Propagation ◽

Spatial Locations ◽

First Time ◽

Emic Waves

Abstract Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves can cause the scattering loss of the relativistic electrons in the earth's radiation belt. They can be classified into the guided mode and the unguided mode, according to waves propagation behavior. The guided mode waves have been widely investigated in the radiation belt, but the observation of the unguided mode waves have not been expected. Based on the observations of Van Allen Probes, we demonstrate for the first time the existence of the intense unguided mode EMIC waves. The reflection interface formed by the spatial locations of local helium cutoff frequencies can be nearly parallel to the equatorial plane when the proton abundance ratio decreases sharply with L-shell. This structure combined with the anisotropic hot protons can lead to the trapping and significant amplification of the unguided mode waves. These results may help to understand the nature of EMIC waves in the radiation belt.

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