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

Xiao-Jia Zhang (), Anton Artemyev, Vassilis Angelopoulos, Ethan Tsai, Colin Wilkins, Satoshi Kasahara, Didier Mourenas, Shoichiro Yokota, Kunihiro Keika, Tomoaki Hori, Yoshizumi Miyoshi, Iku Shinohara and Ayako Matsuoka
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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

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29291-8

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