Multidimensional quasi-linear diffusion of radiation belt electrons

We consider diffusion of outer zone radiation belt electrons by chorus waves. Quasi‐linear diffusion coefficients valid outside the plasmasphere have only been calculated recently, and indicate that the energy and cross diffusion rates can be comparable to that for pitch angle diffusion. Proper solu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical research letters 2005-07, Vol.32 (14), p.L14110.1-n/a
Main Authors: Albert, J. M., Young, S. L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
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Summary:We consider diffusion of outer zone radiation belt electrons by chorus waves. Quasi‐linear diffusion coefficients valid outside the plasmasphere have only been calculated recently, and indicate that the energy and cross diffusion rates can be comparable to that for pitch angle diffusion. Proper solution of the diffusion equation for phase space density must therefore be based on the full diffusion tensor, but this has been plagued by numerical problems associated with the large and rapidly varying cross terms. To circumvent this, techniques are developed for transforming to variables in which the cross diffusion term vanishes. A model calculation shows significant diffusion of phase space density at L = 4.5 from 0.2 MeV up to a few MeV in less than a day.
ISSN:0094-8276
1944-8007
DOI:10.1029/2005GL023191