Quasi-linear pitch angle diffusion and storm-time energetic electron precipitation from inner radiation belt

Abstract

<span style="mso-bidi-language:HI">Pitch angle scattering and diffusion of inner belt electrons, interacting gyro-resonantly with wide-band whistler-mode ELF/VLF waves, are evaluated using quasi-linear theory in order to study the storm-time precipitation of energetic electrons from inner radiation belt. The calculated pitch angle scattering (being ~ 10^-2-10^-3 deg near the edge of loss cone) and lifetimes (hours and days only) indicate a significant electron precipitation into the lower atmosphere from the inner radiation zone. The results further hint that the calculated quasi-linear diffusion coefficients and pitch angle scattering both decrease with increasing equatorial pitch angle and approach a zero value at 90°. This provides a plausible explanation of the fact that farther the pitch angles from the loss cone, less efficient will be the diffusion of electrons into-the loss cone and that the electrons with large pitch angle near 90° are stably trapped in the inner zone.

</span>