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AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Index Terms

  • Magnetospheric Physics: Energetic particles, trapped
  • Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetosphere—inner
  • Magnetospheric Physics: Storms and substorms
  • Space Plasma Physics: Wave/particle interactions

Abstract

Nonlinear interaction of outer zone electrons with VLF waves

J. M. Albert

Institute for Scientific Research, Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Analytical expressions have been obtained for three different types of cyclotron-resonant interaction of a test particle with a monochromatic electromagnetic wave: diffusion, phase bunching, and phase trapping. All three lead to changes in particle energy and pitch angle. They are evaluated for VLF waves and electrons at L = 5.5, to try to account for observed electron acceleration following magnetic storms. The results are that diffusion may be too slow, while phase bunching leads to deceleration. A maximal estimate of phase trapping, considered in isolation, leads to the acceleration of at least some 0.1 MeV electrons to ∼1 MeV in about 1 minute.

Published 30 April 2002.

Citation: Albert, J. M. (2002), Nonlinear interaction of outer zone electrons with VLF waves, Geophys. Res. Lett., 29(8), 1275, doi:10.1029/2001GL013941.

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