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We present a new model designed to simulate the process of energetic particle precipitation, a vital coupling mechanism from Earth's magnetosphere to its atmosphere. The atmospheric response, namely excess ionization in the upper and middle atmosphere, together with bremsstrahlung X-ray production, is calculated with kinetic particle simulations using the Geant4 Monte Carlo framework. Mono-energy and mono-pitch angle electron beams are simulated and combined using a Green's function approach to represent realistic electron spectra and pitch angle distributions. Results from this model include more accurate ionization profiles than previous analytical models, deeper photon penetration into the atmosphere than previous Monte Carlo model predictions, and predictions of backscatter fractions of loss cone electrons up to 40%. The model results are verified by comparison with previous precipitation modeling results, and validated using balloon X-ray measurements from the Balloon Array for RBSP Relativistic Electron Losses mission and backscattered electron energy and pitch angle measurements from the Electron Loss and Fields Investigation with a Spatio-Temporal Ambiguity-Resolving CubeSat mission. The model results and solution techniques are developed into a Python package for public use.
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Characteristics of Energetic Electron Precipitation Estimated from Simulated Bremsstrahlung X‐ray Distributions
Abstract Determination of the fluxes and spectra of energetic particle precipitation into the Earth's atmosphere is of critical importance for radiation belt dynamics, magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling, as well as atmospheric chemistry. To improve the assessments of precipitating electrons using X‐ray measurements requires deeper understanding of bremsstrahlung production, transport, and redistribution throughout the atmosphere. Here we use first‐principles Monte Carlo models to explore relativistic electron precipitation events from the perspective of bremsstrahlung X‐rays. The spatial distribution of X‐rays is quantified from the ground level up to satellite altitudes. We then simulate X‐ray images that would be captured using an ideal camera and calculate the energy spectra of X‐rays originating from monoenergetic beams of precipitating electrons. Moreover, we show how these impulse responses to monoenergetic beams can be used to reconstruct the precipitating source using an inversion technique. Modeling results show that space‐borne measurements of backscattered X‐rays provide a promising method to estimate precipitation spatial size, fluxes, and spectra.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1732359
- PAR ID:
- 10460553
- Publisher / Repository:
- DOI PREFIX: 10.1029
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
- Volume:
- 124
- Issue:
- 4
- ISSN:
- 2169-9380
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- p. 2831-2843
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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