Effects of fine spectral structure of chorus emissions on nonlinear
scattering and acceleration of radiation belt electrons
Abstract
Whistler-mode chorus waves play a crucial role in accelerating
electrons in Earth’s outer radiation belt to relativistic and
ultrarelativistic energies. While this electron evolution is typically
modeled using a diffusion approximation for scattering, high-amplitude
chorus waves induce nonlinear resonant effects that challenge this
approach on short time scales. The long-term influence of these
nonlinear interactions on radiation belt dynamics remains an unresolved
issue. Recent simplified models suggest rapid nonlinear acceleration to
ultrarelativistic energies, with formation of butterfly distributions
during parallel wave propagation. In this study, we introduce a novel
numerical approach based on Liouville phase space density mapping to
investigate nonlinear scattering by high-amplitude waves over extended
periods (minutes and beyond). We use a numerical wave field model of
lower-band chorus risers that includes realistic fine-spectral features
including subpacket modulations, phase decoherence, and jumps in
wave normal angle. By incorporating these detailed spectral
characteristics of the waves, we demonstrate that the rapid acceleration
occurs across a broader pitch-angle range, forming a flat-top
distribution. Similar effect is observed as the repetition period of
chorus elements becomes shorter, with the additional effect of increased
electron precipitation due to transition from bursty to continuous
flux profiles in the loss cone. These findings highlight the importance
of incorporating nonlinear effects and fine-scale wave properties in the
future development of high-energy electron models for the outer
radiation belt.