The equilibrium radiation belt electron pitch angle distribution and its dependence on the radial diffusive source
On the average, the population of radiation belt electrons reflects a balance between inward radial diffusion and turbulent losses to the atmosphere (e.g., Lyons and Thorne, 1973). The electron pitch angle distribution will therefore in general depend on the properties of both processes. To study its dependence on the source mechanism, the pitch angle diffusion equation is solved numerically for characteristic source angular distributions and quiet time turbulent wave-particle scattering rates. The equilibrium equatorial electron pitch angle distribution is shown to be only moderately dependent on the source structure, and the shape of the loss cone distribution is found to be practically independent of source distributions for physically reasonable sources, the shape being controlled almost solely by the wave-particle scattering properties within the plasmasphere. (AIP)
- Research Organization:
- Department of Meteorology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90024
- OSTI ID:
- 7268603
- Journal Information:
- J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Vol. 81:16
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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