Authors
Lawrence R Lyons, Richard Mansergh Thorne
Publication date
1973/5/1
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume
78
Issue
13
Pages
2142-2149
Description
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.
Total citations
Scholar articles
LR Lyons, RM Thorne - Journal of Geophysical Research, 1973