Quasilinear diffusion of protons by equatorial magnetosonic waves at
quasi-perpendicular propagation: Comparison with the test-particle
approach
Abstract
Although some plasma waves exhibit the largest growth rate and amplitude
at 90deg wave normal angle (WNA), particle scattering by these waves in
a quasilinear (QL) sense has not been examined previously. Using
test-particle calculation and QL theory, the present study investigates
the proton scattering by equatorial fast magnetosonic waves (MSWs; a.k.a
equatorial noise) with varying WNAs including 90deg. Comparison with the
diffusion coefficients in momentum space obtained from the test-particle
approach indicates that the QL diffusion coefficients given by, e.g.,
Kennel and Engelmann (1966) are valid up to 90deg WNA, provided that
MSWs described conform to the usual QL theory assumptions. The
test-particle dynamics due to MSWs at 90deg WNA are examined in detail.
Although in the QL picture, protons are only supposed to resonate with
MSWs of integer harmonic frequencies at perpendicular propagation, the
presence of slightly off-integer harmonic modes as part of a narrowband
discrete spectrum of incoherent MSWs plays an important role in making
the proton scattering stochastic. Considering the recent test-particle
result of bounce-averaged resonance of energetic protons, non-zero wave
power at the WNAs >~ 89.5deg typically
excluded in QL diffusion can be important for ring current proton
dynamics.