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Superfast precipitation of energetic electrons in the radiation belts of the Earth

Author

Listed:
  • Xiao-Jia Zhang

    (University of California)

  • Anton Artemyev

    (University of California)

  • Vassilis Angelopoulos

    (University of California)

  • Ethan Tsai

    (University of California)

  • Colin Wilkins

    (University of California)

  • Satoshi Kasahara

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Didier Mourenas

    (Paris-Saclay University, CEA)

  • Shoichiro Yokota

    (Osaka University)

  • Kunihiro Keika

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Tomoaki Hori

    (Nagoya University)

  • Yoshizumi Miyoshi

    (Nagoya University)

  • Iku Shinohara

    (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)

  • Ayako Matsuoka

    (Kyoto University)

Abstract

Energetic electron precipitation from Earth’s outer radiation belt heats the upper atmosphere and alters its chemical properties. The precipitating flux intensity, typically modelled using inputs from high-altitude, equatorial spacecraft, dictates the radiation belt’s energy contribution to the atmosphere and the strength of space-atmosphere coupling. The classical quasi-linear theory of electron precipitation through moderately fast diffusive interactions with plasma waves predicts that precipitating electron fluxes cannot exceed fluxes of electrons trapped in the radiation belt, setting an apparent upper limit for electron precipitation. Here we show from low-altitude satellite observations, that ~100 keV electron precipitation rates often exceed this apparent upper limit. We demonstrate that such superfast precipitation is caused by nonlinear electron interactions with intense plasma waves, which have not been previously incorporated in radiation belt models. The high occurrence rate of superfast precipitation suggests that it is important for modelling both radiation belt fluxes and space-atmosphere coupling.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiao-Jia Zhang & Anton Artemyev & Vassilis Angelopoulos & Ethan Tsai & Colin Wilkins & Satoshi Kasahara & Didier Mourenas & Shoichiro Yokota & Kunihiro Keika & Tomoaki Hori & Yoshizumi Miyoshi & Iku S, 2022. "Superfast precipitation of energetic electrons in the radiation belts of the Earth," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-29291-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29291-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. R. M. Thorne & W. Li & B. Ni & Q. Ma & J. Bortnik & L. Chen & D. N. Baker & H. E. Spence & G. D. Reeves & M. G. Henderson & C. A. Kletzing & W. S. Kurth & G. B. Hospodarsky & J. B. Blake & J. F. Fenne, 2013. "Rapid local acceleration of relativistic radiation-belt electrons by magnetospheric chorus," Nature, Nature, vol. 504(7480), pages 411-414, December.
    2. S. Kasahara & Y. Miyoshi & S. Yokota & T. Mitani & Y. Kasahara & S. Matsuda & A. Kumamoto & A. Matsuoka & Y. Kazama & H. U. Frey & V. Angelopoulos & S. Kurita & K. Keika & K. Seki & I. Shinohara, 2018. "Pulsating aurora from electron scattering by chorus waves," Nature, Nature, vol. 554(7692), pages 337-340, February.
    3. Richard B. Horne & Richard M. Thorne & Yuri Y. Shprits & Nigel P. Meredith & Sarah A. Glauert & Andy J. Smith & Shrikanth G. Kanekal & Daniel N. Baker & Mark J. Engebretson & Jennifer L. Posch & Maria, 2005. "Wave acceleration of electrons in the Van Allen radiation belts," Nature, Nature, vol. 437(7056), pages 227-230, September.
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