Modeling the Contribution of Precipitation Loss to a Radiation Belt
Electron Dropout Observed by Van Allen Probes
Abstract
A drift-diffusion model is used to simulate the low-altitude electron
distribution, accounting for azimuthal drift, pitch angle diffusion, and
atmospheric backscattering effects during a rapid electron dropout event
on August 21st, 2013, at L=4.5. Additional external loss effects are
introduced during times when the low-altitude electron distribution
cannot be reproduced by diffusion alone. The model utilizes low-altitude
electron count rate data from five POES/MetOp satellites to quantify
pitch angle diffusion rates. Low-altitude data provides critical
constraint on the model because it includes the drift loss cone region
where the electron distribution in longitude is highly dependent on the
balance between azimuthal drift and pitch angle diffusion. Furthermore,
a newly derived angular response function for the detectors onboard
POES/MetOp is employed to accurately incorporate the bounce loss cone
measurements, which have been previously contaminated by electrons from
outside the nominal field-of-view. While constrained by low-altitude
data, the model also shows reasonable agreement with high-altitude data.
Pitch angle diffusion rates during the event are quantified and are
faster at lower energies. Precipitation is determined to account for all
of the total loss observed for 350 keV electrons, 76% for 600 keV and
45% for 900 keV. Predictions made in the MeV range are deemed
unreliable as the integral energy channels E3 and P6 fail to provide the
necessary constraint at relativistic energies.