Kinetic Modeling of Radiation Belt Electrons with GEANT4 to Study
Energetic Particle Precipitation in Earth's Atmosphere
Abstract
We present a new model designed to simulate the process of energetic
particle precipitation, a vital coupling mechanism from Earth’s
magnetosphere to its atmosphere. The atmospheric response, namely excess
ionization in the upper and middle atmosphere, together with
bremsstrahlung X-ray production, is calculated with kinetic particle
simulations using the GEANT4 Monte Carlo framework. Mono-energy and
mono-pitch angle electron beams are simulated and combined using a
Green’s function approach to represent realistic electron spectra and
pitch angle distributions. Results from this model include more accurate
ionization profiles than previous analytical models, deeper photon
penetration into the atmosphere than previous Monte Carlo model
predictions, and predictions of backscatter fractions of loss cone
electrons up to 40%. The model results are verified by comparison with
previous precipitation modeling results, and validated using balloon
X-ray measurements from the BARREL mission and backscattered electron
energy and pitch angle measurements from the ELFIN CubeSat mission. The
model results and solution techniques are developed into a Python
package for public use.