Understanding the mechanisms of radiation belt dropouts observed by Van Allen Probes

Xiang, Zheng; Tu, Weichao; Li, Xinlin; Ni, Binbin; Morley, Steven Karl; Baker, D. N.

doi:10.1002/2017JA024487

Title: Understanding the mechanisms of radiation belt dropouts observed by Van Allen Probes

Journal Article · Wed Aug 30 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JA024487· OSTI ID:1394980

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Wuhan Univ. (China). School of Electronic Information, Dept. of Space Physics; West Virginia Univ., Morgantown, WV (United States). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
West Virginia Univ., Morgantown, WV (United States). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States). Lab. for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Wuhan Univ. (China). School of Electronic Information, Dept. of Space Physics
Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

To achieve a better understanding of the dominant loss mechanisms for the rapid dropouts of radiation belt electrons, three distinct radiation belt dropout events observed by Van Allen Probes are comprehensively investigated. For each event, observations of the pitch angle distribution of electron fluxes and electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are analyzed to determine the effects of atmospheric precipitation loss due to pitch angle scattering induced by EMIC waves. Last closed drift shells (LCDS) and magnetopause standoff position are obtained to evaluate the effects of magnetopause shadowing loss. Evolution of electron phase space density (PSD) versus L* profiles and the μ and K (first and second adiabatic invariants) dependence of the electron PSD drops are calculated to further analyze the dominant loss mechanisms at different L*. Here, our findings suggest that these radiation belt dropouts can be classified into distinct classes in terms of dominant loss mechanisms: magnetopause shadowing dominant, EMIC wave scattering dominant, and combination of both mechanisms. Different from previous understanding, our results show that magnetopause shadowing can deplete electrons at L* < 4, while EMIC waves can efficiently scatter electrons at L* > 4. Compared to the magnetopause standoff position, it is more reliable to use LCDS to evaluate the impact of magnetopause shadowing. Finally, the evolution of electron PSD versus L* profile and the μ, K dependence of electron PSD drops can provide critical and credible clues regarding the mechanisms responsible for electron losses at different L* over the outer radiation belt.

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Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; National Science Foundation (NSF); National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC52-06NA25396; AGS-1613081; NNX15AW06G; 41674163; 41474141; 41204120

OSTI ID:: 1394980

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1396068

Report Number(s):: LA-UR-17-24736

Journal Information:: Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics, Vol. 122, Issue 10; ISSN 2169-9380

Publisher:: American Geophysical UnionCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 88 works

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