Pitch angle scattering of diffuse auroral electrons by whistler mode waves

Journal Article · Sun Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/95JA01161· OSTI ID:227138

Villalon, E ^[1]; Burke, W J ^[2]

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1. Northeastern Univ., Boston, MA (United States)
2. Hanscom Air Force Base, MA (United States)

Resonant electron-whistler interactions in the plasma sheet are investigated as possible explanations of the nearly isotropic fluxes of low-energy electrons observed above the diffuse aurora. Whistler mode waves, propagating near the resonance cone with frequencies near or larger than half the equatorial electron cyclotron frequency, can interact with low-energy plasma sheet electrons. A Hamiltonian formulation is developed for test particles interacting with the coherent chorus emission spectra. The authors consider the second-order resonance condition which requires that inhomogeneities in the Earth`s magnetic field be compensated by a finite bandwidth of wave frequencies to maintain resonance for extended distances along field lines. These second-order interactions are very efficient in scattering the electrons toward the atmospheric loss cone. Numerical calculations are presented for the magnetic shell L=5.5 for wave amplitudes of {approximately}10{sup {minus}6} V/m, using different frequency and magnetospheric conditions. 34 refs., 7 figs.

• OSTI ID: 227138
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research Journal Issue: A10 Vol. 100; ISSN JGREA2; ISSN 0148-0227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
AURORAL ZONES
ELECTRONS
INCLINATION
PLASMA SHEET
SCATTERING
WHISTLERS