Narrow spectral peaks in electrons precipitating from the slot region

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA088iA10p08103· OSTI ID:6779618

Imhof, W L; Reagan, J B; Gaines, E E; Anderson, R R

Narrow L-dependent peaks commonly occur in the energy spectra of electrons precipitating from the inner radiation belt at Lroughly-equal1.5-1.85, and the cause of the peaks has been attributed to cyclotron resonance interations with waves generated by VLF transmitters. In the slot region, L-dependent peaks have also been reportd at Lroughly-equal2-3.5, but these have been predominately wider and consistent with their origin being cyclotron resonance interactions involving naturally occurring hiss. Here we investigate the infrequent occurrence of narrow peaks in electrons precipitating at L> or approx. =2. From coordinated wave and plasma density measurements it is found that if the narrow peaks are formed by first-order cyclotron resonant interactions occurring close to the magnetic equator between narrow band waves and the trapped electron poopulation then the equatorial plasma density gradients are unusually steep. This findinng is consistent with the evidence previously obtained by other techniques for structured plasma density profiles in that L shell region of space.

• Research Organization: Space Sciences Laboratory, Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratory
• OSTI ID: 6779618
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 88:A10; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CHARGED-PARTICLE PRECIPITATION
CYCLOTRON RESONANCE
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON PRECIPITATION
ELECTRON SPECTRA
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
IONOSPHERE
LEPTONS
NOISE
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA DENSITY
RADIATION BELTS
RADIATIONS
RADIO NOISE
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
RESONANCE
SPECTRA
TRAPPED ELECTRONS