Discovery of the action of a geophysical synchrotron in the Earth’s Van Allen radiation belts

Ian R. Mann (), E. A. Lee, S. G. Claudepierre, J. F. Fennell, A. Degeling, I. J. Rae, D. N. Baker, G. D. Reeves, H. E. Spence, L. G. Ozeke, R. Rankin, D. K. Milling, A. Kale, R. H. W. Friedel and F. Honary
Additional contact information
Ian R. Mann: University of Alberta
E. A. Lee: University of Alberta
S. G. Claudepierre: The Aerospace Corporation
J. F. Fennell: The Aerospace Corporation
A. Degeling: University of Alberta
I. J. Rae: University of Alberta
D. N. Baker: Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado
G. D. Reeves: Space and Atmospheric Sciences, NIS-1, Los Alamos National Laboratory
H. E. Spence: Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire
L. G. Ozeke: University of Alberta
R. Rankin: University of Alberta
D. K. Milling: University of Alberta
A. Kale: University of Alberta
R. H. W. Friedel: Space and Atmospheric Sciences, NIS-1, Los Alamos National Laboratory
F. Honary: Lancaster University

Nature Communications, 2013, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract Although the Earth’s Van Allen radiation belts were discovered over 50 years ago, the dominant processes responsible for relativistic electron acceleration, transport and loss remain poorly understood. Here we show evidence for the action of coherent acceleration due to resonance with ultra-low frequency waves on a planetary scale. Data from the CRRES probe, and from the recently launched multi-satellite NASA Van Allen Probes mission, with supporting modelling, collectively show coherent ultra-low frequency interactions which high energy resolution data reveals are far more common than either previously thought or observed. The observed modulations and energy-dependent spatial structure indicate a mode of action analogous to a geophysical synchrotron; this new mode of response represents a significant shift in known Van Allen radiation belt dynamics and structure. These periodic collisionless betatron acceleration processes also have applications in understanding the dynamics of, and periodic electromagnetic emissions from, distant plasma-astrophysical systems.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3795

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