Equilibrium structure of radiation belt electrons

Journal of Geophysical Research (1896-1977)Volume 78, Issue 13 p. 2142-2149 Equilibrium structure of radiation belt electrons Lawrence R. Lyons, Lawrence R. LyonsSearch for more papers by this authorRichard Mansergh Thorne, Richard Mansergh ThorneSearch for more papers by this author Lawrence R. Lyons, Lawrence R. LyonsSearch for more papers by this authorRichard Mansergh Thorne, Richard Mansergh ThorneSearch for more papers by this author First published: 1 May 1973 https://doi.org/10.1029/JA078i013p02142Citations: 471AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Abstract The detailed quiet time structure of energetic electrons in the earth's radiation belts is explained on the basis of a balance between pitch angle scattering loss and inward radial diffusion from an average outer zone source. Losses are attributed to a combination of classical Coulomb scattering at low L and whistler mode turbulent pitch angle diffusion throughout the outer plasmasphere. Radial diffusion is driven by substorm associated fluctuations of the magnetospheric convection electric field. References Birmingham, T. J., Convection electric fields and the diffusion of trapped magnetospheric radiation, J. Geophys. Res., 74, 2169, 1969. Bostrom, C. O., D. S. Beall, J. C. Armstrong, Time history of the inner radiation zone, October 1963 to December 1968, J. Geophys. Res., 75, 1246, 1970. Brice, N., T. R. McDonough, Jupiter's radiation belts, report, Cornell Univ, Ithaca, N.Y., 1972. Carpenter, D. L., Whistler studies of the plasmapause in the magnetosphere, 1, Temporal variations in the position of the knee and some evidence on plasma motions near the knee, J. Geo.phys. Res., 71, 693, 1966. Carpenter, D. L., R. L. Smith, Whistler measurements of electron density in the magnetosphere, Rev. Geophys. Space Phys., 2, 415, 1964. Carpenter, D. L., K. Stone, J. C. Siren, T. L. Crystal, Magnetosphere electric fields deduced from drifting whistler paths, J. Geophys. Res., 77, 2819, 1972. Chappell, C. R., K. K. Harris, G. W. Sharp, A study of the influence of magnetic activity on the location of the plasmapause as measured by Ogo 5, J. Geophys. Res., 75, 50, 1970. Chappell, C. R., K. K. Harris, G. W. Sharp, The dayside of the plasmasphere, J. Geophys. Res., 76, 7632, 1971. Cornwall, J. M., Diffusion processes influenced by conjugate-point wave phenomena, Radio Sci., 3, 740, 1968. Cornwall, J. M., Radial diffusion of ionized helium and protons: A probe for magnetospheric dynamics, J. Geophys. Res., 77, 1756, 1972. Coroniti, F. V., andR. M. Thorne, Magnetosphere electrons,in Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences,vol. , 1,edited by F. A. Donath, Annual Reviews, Palo Alto, Calif., in press,1973. DeForest, S. E., C. E. McIlwain, Plasma clouds in the magnetosphere, J. Geophys. Res., 76, 3587, 1971. Fäthammar, C. G., Effects of time dependent electric fields on geomagnetically trapped radiation, J. Geophys. Res., 70, 2503, 1965. Haerendel, G., Diffusion theory of trapped particles and the observed proton distribution, Earth's Particles and Fields B. M. McCormac, 171, Reinhold, New York, 1968. Jelly, D., N. Brice, Changes in Van Allen radiation associated with polar substorms, J. Geophys. Res., 72, 5919, 1967. Konradi, A., Rapid increases in the proton and electron fluxes in the magnetosphere, J. Geophys. Res., 73, 3449, 1968. Lyons, L. R., R. M. Thorne, C. F. Kennel, Pitch angle diffusion of radaition belt electrons within the plasmasphere, J. Geophys. Res., 77, 3455, 1972. Mozer, F. S., Power spectra of the magnetospheric electric field, J. Geophys. Res., 76, 3651, 1971. Nakada, N. P., G. D. Mead, Diffusion of protons in the outer radiation belt, J. Geophys. Res., 70, 4777, 1965. Newkirk, L. L., M. Walt, Radial diffusion coefficient for electrons at 1.76 < L< 5, J. Geophys. Res., 73, 7231, 1968. Owens, H. D., L. A. Frank, Electron omnidirectional intensity contours in the earth's outer radiation zone at the magnetic equator, J. Geophys. Res., 73, 199, 1968. Pfitzer, K. A., J. R. Winckler, Experimental observations of a large addition to the electron inner radiation belt after a solar flare event, J. Geophys. Res., 73, 5792, 1968. Pfitzer, K., S. Kane, J. R. Winckler, The spectra and intensity of electrons in the radiation belts, Space Res., 6, 702, 1966. Rao, C. S. R., Some observations of energetic electrons in the outer radiation zone during magnetic bays, J. Geophys. Res., 74, 794, 1969. Rossi, B., S. Olbert, Introduction to the Physics of Space, 5, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1970. Rothwell, P., C. Lynam, The plasmapause, the plasma sheet, and energetic trapped electrons in the earth's magnetosphere, Planet. Space Sci., 17, 447, 1969. Russell, C. T., R. M. Thorne, On the structure of the inner magnetosphere, Cosmic Electrodynamics, 1, 67, 1970. Schield, M. A., L. A. Frank, Electron observations between the inner edge of the plasma sheet and the plasmapause, J. Geophys. Res., 75, 5401, 1970. Sharp, R. D., D. L. Carr, R. G. Johnson, E. G. Shelley, Coordinated auroral electron observations from a synchronous and a polar satellite, J. Geophys. Res., 76, 7669, 1971. Thorne, R. M., E. J. Smith, R. K. Burton, R. E. Holzer, Plasmaspheric hiss, J. Geophys. Res., 78, 1581, 1973. Tomassian, A. D., T. A. Farley, A. L. Vampola, Inner zone energetic electron repopulation by radial diffusion, J. Geophys. Res., 77, 3441, 1972. Vampola, A. L., Natural variations in the geomagnetically trapped electron populationRep. No. TR-0059(6260-20)-17Aerospace Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., 1971. Van Allen, J. A., Lifetimes of geomagnetically trapped electrons of several Mev energy, Nature, 203, 1006, 1964. Van Allen, J. A., L. A. Frank, Radiation around the earth to a radial distance of 107,400 km, Nature, 183, 430, 1959. Vernov, S. N., E. V. Gorchakov, S. N. Kuznetsov, Yu. I. Logachev, E. N. Sosnovets, V. G. Stolpovsky, Particle fluxes in the outer geomagnetic field, Rev. Geophys. Space Phys., 7, 257, 1969. Walt, M., The effects of atmospheric collisions on geomagnetically trapped electrons, J. Geophys. Res., 69, 3947, 1964. Walt, M., Radial diffusion of trapped particles, Particles and Fields in the Magnetosphere B. M. McCormac, 410, D. Reidel, Dordrecht, Netherlands, 1970. Walt, M., Radial diffusion of trapped particles and some of its consequences, Rev. Geophys. Space Phys., 9, 11, 1971. Walt, M., W. M. MacDonald, Energy spectrum of electrons trapped in the geomagnetic field, J. Geophys. Res., 66, 2047, 1961. Wentworth, R. C., W. M. MacDonald, S. F. Singer, Lifetimes of trapped radiation belt particles determined by Coulomb scattering, Phys. Fluids, 2, 499, 1959. Williams, D. J., J. F. Arens, L. J. Lanzerotti, Observations of trapped electrons at low and high altitudes, J. Geophys. Res., 73, 5673, 1968. Winckler, J. R., The origin and distribution of energetic electrons in the Van Allen radiation belts, Particles and Fields in the Magnetosphere B. M. McCormac, 332, D. Reidel, Dordrecht, Netherlands, 1970. Citing Literature Volume78, Issue13Space Physics1 May 1973Pages 2142-2149 This article also appears in:60th Anniversary: Discovery of Earth's Radiation Belts ReferencesRelatedInformation