Journal article
The role of the convection electric field in filling the slot region between the inner and outer radiation belts
Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.122(2), pp.2051-2068
02/2017
DOI: 10.1002/2016JA023657
Abstract
The Van Allen Probes have reported frequent flux enhancements of 100s keV electrons in the slot region, with lower energy electrons exhibiting more dynamic behavior at lower L shells. Also, in situ electric field measurements from the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite, Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS), and the Van Allen Probes have provided evidence for large‐scale electric fields at low L shells during active times. We study an event on 19 February 2014 where hundreds of keV electron fluxes were enhanced by orders of magnitude in the slot region and electric fields of 1–2 mV/m were observed below L = 3. Using a 2‐D guiding center particle tracer and a simple large‐scale convection electric field model, we demonstrate that the measured electric fields can account for energization of electrons up to at least 500 keV in the slot region through inward radial transport.
Key Points
We connect in situ electric field measurements to slot region flux enhancements for 100s keV electrons
An increase in convection can explain enhancements for electrons up to 500 keV near L = 3 through inward radial transport
Our convection model does not match higher‐energy flux observations, indicating a transition point where other mechanisms are required
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The role of the convection electric field in filling the slot region between the inner and outer radiation belts
- Creators
- S Califf - University of Colorado BoulderX Li - University of Colorado BoulderH Zhao - University of Colorado BoulderA Kellerman - University of California, Los AngelesT. E Sarris - Democritus University of ThraceA Jaynes - University of Colorado BoulderD. M Malaspina - University of Colorado Boulder
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.122(2), pp.2051-2068
- DOI
- 10.1002/2016JA023657
- ISSN
- 2169-9380
- eISSN
- 2169-9402
- Number of pages
- 18
- Grant note
- NASA Earth and Space Sciences Fellowship (NESSF) (NNX15AT57H) NASA (NNX15AF56G)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/2017
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy; University College Courses
- Record Identifier
- 9984200060202771
Metrics
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