Van Allen Probes observations of prompt MeV radiation belt electron acceleration in nonlinear interactions with VLF chorus

J. C Foster; P. J Erickson; Y Omura; D. N Baker; C. A Kletzing; S. G Claudepierre

doi:10.1002/2016JA023429

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Van Allen Probes observations of prompt MeV radiation belt electron acceleration in nonlinear interactions with VLF chorus

Journal article

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Van Allen Probes observations of prompt MeV radiation belt electron acceleration in nonlinear interactions with VLF chorus

J. C Foster, P. J Erickson, Y Omura, D. N Baker, C. A Kletzing and S. G Claudepierre

Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.122(1), pp.324-339

01/2017

DOI: 10.1002/2016JA023429

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Abstract

Prompt recovery of MeV (millions of electron Volts) electron populations in the poststorm core of the outer terrestrial radiation belt involves local acceleration of a seed population of energetic electrons in interactions with VLF chorus waves. Electron interactions during the generation of VLF rising tones are strongly nonlinear, such that a fraction of the relativistic electrons at resonant energies are trapped by waves, leading to significant nonadiabatic energy exchange. Through detailed examination of VLF chorus and electron fluxes observed by Van Allen Probes, we investigate the efficiency of nonlinear processes for acceleration of electrons to MeV energies. We find through subpacket analysis of chorus waveforms that electrons with initial energy of hundreds of keV to 3 MeV can be accelerated by 50 keV–200 keV in resonant interactions with a single VLF rising tone on a time scale of 10–100 ms. Key Points Prompt (<1 h) MeV electron acceleration in the inner magnetosphere accompanies substorm injections and strong VLF chorus rising tones Highly coherent subpacket structure in strong VLF rising tones accounts for significant nonlinear acceleration efficiency MeV seed electrons can be accelerated by 50 keV–200 keV in 10–100 ms in nonlinear interactions with a single VLF chorus rising tone

nonlinear acceleration

radiation belt

VLF chorus

wave‐particle interactions

Details

Title: Subtitle: Van Allen Probes observations of prompt MeV radiation belt electron acceleration in nonlinear interactions with VLF chorus
Creators: J. C Foster - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
P. J Erickson - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Y Omura - Kyoto University
D. N Baker - University of Colorado Boulder
C. A Kletzing - University of Iowa
S. G Claudepierre - The Aerospace Corporation
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of geophysical research. Space physics, Vol.122(1), pp.324-339
DOI: 10.1002/2016JA023429
ISSN: 2169-9380
eISSN: 2169-9402
Number of pages: 16
Grant note: JHU/APL (967399) MEXT/JSPS KAKENHI (JP26287120; JP15H05815) NASA's Prime (NAS5-01072)
Language: English
Date published: 01/2017
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984199795302771

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