Wave-induced loss of ultra-relativistic electrons in the Van Allen radiation belts

Yuri Y. Shprits (), Alexander Y. Drozdov, Maria Spasojevic, Adam C. Kellerman, Maria E. Usanova, Mark J. Engebretson, Oleksiy V. Agapitov, Irina S. Zhelavskaya, Tero J. Raita, Harlan E. Spence, Daniel N. Baker, Hui Zhu and Nikita A. Aseev
Additional contact information
Yuri Y. Shprits: Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, GFZ, German Research Centre For Geosciences
Alexander Y. Drozdov: Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California
Maria Spasojevic: Stanford University
Adam C. Kellerman: Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California
Maria E. Usanova: Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado Boulder
Mark J. Engebretson: Augsburg College
Oleksiy V. Agapitov: Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California
Irina S. Zhelavskaya: Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, GFZ, German Research Centre For Geosciences
Tero J. Raita: Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, Sodankylä, Finland and University of Oulu
Harlan E. Spence: Institute for the Study of Earth Oceans and Space, University of New Hampshire
Daniel N. Baker: Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado Boulder
Hui Zhu: Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California
Nikita A. Aseev: Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, GFZ, German Research Centre For Geosciences

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract The dipole configuration of the Earth’s magnetic field allows for the trapping of highly energetic particles, which form the radiation belts. Although significant advances have been made in understanding the acceleration mechanisms in the radiation belts, the loss processes remain poorly understood. Unique observations on 17 January 2013 provide detailed information throughout the belts on the energy spectrum and pitch angle (angle between the velocity of a particle and the magnetic field) distribution of electrons up to ultra-relativistic energies. Here we show that although relativistic electrons are enhanced, ultra-relativistic electrons become depleted and distributions of particles show very clear telltale signatures of electromagnetic ion cyclotron wave-induced loss. Comparisons between observations and modelling of the evolution of the electron flux and pitch angle show that electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves provide the dominant loss mechanism at ultra-relativistic energies and produce a profound dropout of the ultra-relativistic radiation belt fluxes.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12883

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