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On the dynamics of ultra-relativistic electrons (>2 MeV) near L* = 3.5 during 8 June 2015
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  • Benjamin Hogan,
  • Xinlin Li,
  • Zheng Xiang,
  • Hong Zhao,
  • Yang Mei,
  • Declan O'brien,
  • Daniel N. Baker,
  • Shrikanth G. Kanekal
Benjamin Hogan
CU Boulder

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Xinlin Li
Laboratory for Atmospherics and Space Physics (LASP)
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Zheng Xiang
Wuhan University
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Hong Zhao
Auburn University
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Yang Mei
University of Colorado Boulder
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Declan O'brien
University of Colorado, Boulder
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Daniel N. Baker
University of Colorado Boulder
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Shrikanth G. Kanekal
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
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Abstract

Understanding local loss processes in Earth’s radiation belts is critical to understanding their overall structure. Electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves can cause rapid loss of multi-MeV electrons in the radiation belts and contribute to an uncommon three-belt structure in the radiation belts. These loss effects have been observed at a range of L* values, recently as low as L* = 3.5. Here, we present a case study of an event where a local minimum develops in multi-MeV electron phase space density near L* = 3.5 and evaluate the possibility of EMIC waves in contributing to the observed loss feature. Signatures of EMIC waves are shown including rapid local loss and pitch angle bite outs. Analysis of the wave power spectral density during event shows EMIC wave occurrence at higher L* values. Using these representative wave parameters, we calculate minimum resonant energies, diffusion coefficients, and simulate the evolution of electron PSD during this event. From these results, we find that O+ band EMIC waves could be contributing to the local loss feature during this event. O+ band EMIC waves are uncommon, but do occur in these L* ranges, and therefore may be a significant driver of radiation belt dynamics under certain preconditioning of the radiation belts.
02 Aug 2023Submitted to ESS Open Archive
04 Aug 2023Published in ESS Open Archive