Abstract We investigate the dynamics of relativistic electrons in the Earth's outer radiation belt by analyzing the interplay of several key physical processes: electron losses due to pitch angle scattering from electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves and chorus waves, and electron flux increases from chorus waveâdriven acceleration of 100â300 keV seed electrons injected from the plasma sheet. We examine a weak geomagnetic storm on 17 April 2021, using observations from various spacecraft, including GOES, Van Allen Probes, ERG/ARASE, MMS, ELFIN, and POES. Despite strong EMICâ and chorus waveâdriven electron precipitation in the outer radiation belt, trapped 0.1â1.5 MeV electron fluxes actually increased. We use theoretical estimates of electron quasiâlinear diffusion rates by chorus and EMIC waves, based on statistics of their wave power distribution, to examine the role of those waves in the observed relativistic electron flux variations. We find that a significant supply of 100â300 keV electrons by plasma sheet injections together with chorus waveâdriven acceleration can overcome the rate of chorus and EMIC waveâdriven electron losses through pitch angle scattering toward the loss cone, explaining the observed net increase in electron fluxes. Our study emphasizes the importance of simultaneously taking into account resonant waveâparticle interactions and modeled local energy gradients of electron phase space density following injections, to accurately forecast the dynamical evolution of trapped electron fluxes.
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The principal role of chorus ducting for night-side relativistic electron precipitation
Night-side chorus waves are often observed during plasma sheet injections, typically confined around the equator and thus potentially responsible for precipitation of Ⲡ100đđđ electrons. However, recent low-altitude observations have revealed the critical role of chorus waves in scattering relativistic electrons on the night-side. This study presents a night-side relativistic electron precipitation event induced by chorus waves at the strong diffusion regime, as observed by the ELFIN CubeSats. Through event-based modeling of wave propagation under ducted or unducted regimes, we show that a density duct is essential for guiding chorus waves to high latitudes with minimal damping, thus enabling the strong night-side relativistic electron precipitation. These findings underline both the existence and the important role of density ducts in facilitating night-side relativistic electron precipitation.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2025706
- PAR ID:
- 10539394
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Geophysical research letters
- ISSN:
- 1944-8007
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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