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- Title
Distribution of Seed Electron Phase Space Density Minima in Earth's Radiation Belts.
- Authors
Drozdov, A. Y.; Allison, H. J.; Saikin, A. A.; Schiller, Q.; Wang, D.
- Abstract
We conducted a statistical analysis of local phase space density (PSD) minima across a wide energy range (∼20 keVs to ∼10 MeV), using observations from the Van Allen Probes and the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite. We identified deepening minima in PSD profiles of multi‐MeV (∼5% occurrence) and of "seed" electrons (up to 15% occurrence, corresponding to ∼70–100 s keV) and compared their distribution with a 3D diffusion model using the Versatile Electron Radiation Belts (VERB) code. The comparison of the observed and modeled distributions suggests that the PSD minima of seed electrons are likely associated with hiss waves and the corresponding L‐shell dependent electron lifetimes. However, the observed distribution was not fully reproduced by the model, potentially indicating other fast loss mechanisms of seed electrons. Plain Language Summary: This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the behavior of electrons within the Earth's radiation belts, specifically focusing on changes in the phase space density (PSD) across various energy levels. By analyzing data from the Van Allen Probes and the GOES satellite over 4 years, we observed notable reductions in PSD, particularly at very high‐energy electrons and somewhat lower energy electrons, often referred to as "seed" electrons. These reductions or minima in PSD are important for understanding the dynamics within the radiation belts. The study found that these minima can be explained by interactions with certain types of waves in space, like electromagnetic ion cyclotron or hiss waves. Furthermore, the PSD minima of the seed electrons likely depend on variations in the rate at which hiss waves can scatter electrons at various distances. Key Points: The deepening Phase Space Density (PSD) minima are noticeably observed at μ < 300 MeV/G, with occurrence reaching 15%The simulation can produce deepening PSD minima at μ < 60 MeV/GThe modeled seed electron deepening PSD minima are influenced by L‐dependent electron lifetimes due to interaction with hiss waves
- Subjects
GOES (Meteorological satellite); ELECTRON distribution; RADIATION belts; PHASE space; TERRESTRIAL radiation; ELECTRON scattering; ELECTRON diffusion; SCATTERING (Physics)
- Publication
Geophysical Research Letters, 2024, Vol 51, Issue 7, p1
- ISSN
0094-8276
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1029/2023GL108028