Authors
Nigel P Meredith, Richard M Thorne, Richard B Horne, Danny Summers, Brian J Fraser, Roger R Anderson
Publication date
2003/6
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Volume
108
Issue
A6
Description
Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves which propagate at frequencies below the proton gyrofrequency can undergo cyclotron resonant interactions with relativistic electrons in the outer radiation belt and cause pitch‐angle scattering and electron loss to the atmosphere. Typical storm‐time wave amplitudes of 1–10 nT cause strong diffusion scattering which may lead to significant relativistic electron loss at energies above the minimum energy for resonance, Emin. A statistical analysis of over 800 EMIC wave events observed on the CRRES spacecraft is performed to establish whether scattering can occur at geophysically interesting energies (≤2 MeV). While Emin is well above 2 MeV for the majority of these events, it can fall below 2 MeV in localized regions of high plasma density and/or low magnetic field (fpe/fce,eq > 10) for wave frequencies just below the hydrogen or helium ion gyrofrequencies. These …
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Scholar articles
NP Meredith, RM Thorne, RB Horne, D Summers… - Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 2003
NP Meredith, RM Thorne, RB Horne, D Summers… - JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-ALL …, 2003