合声波引起的外辐射带相对论电子投掷角分布快速演化

    Rapid Evolution of the Relativistic Electron Pitch Angle Distributions Caused by Chorus in the Earth’s Outer Radiation Belt

    • 投掷角是带电粒子运动方向与背景磁场的夹角, 研究电子投掷角分布对于理解地球辐射带动力学演化具有重要意义. 本文利用范艾伦探针数据, 对2016年9月7日15:19-15:49 UT期间发生的一次外辐射带相对论电子投掷角分布演化事例进行了详细分析. 卫星在此期间运行于远地点附近, 轨道速度较慢, 空间位置变化很小, 基本保持在L≈5.8, MLT≈2, Mlat≈1.7° 附近, 因此可以忽略位置变化对观测结果的影响. 卫星数据显示相对论电子的投掷角分布在30 min内从蝴蝶型分布逐步转变为平顶型分布, 且该区域存在强的哨声模合声波. 数值模拟结果表明哨声模合声波对高能电子的扩散作用是导致该事件中电子投掷角分布转变的主要物理机制. 本文研究进一步证明了合声波对于辐射带演化的重要意义.

       

      Abstract: The pitch angle, defined as the angle between a charged particle’s velocity vector and the ambient magnetic field, is a key parameter that governs the particle’s motion within the magnetic field. In Earth’s outer radiation belt, energetic electrons display diverse Pitch Angle Distribution (PAD) patterns. These patterns are influenced by various factors and frequently undergo changes, typically occurring over timescales ranging from several hours to several days. Investigating electron PAD variations and uncovering the underlying physical mechanisms are of significant importance for understanding the dynamic evolution of the Earth’s outer radiation belt. This paper utilizes Van Allen Probe-B data to conduct a detailed analysis of the evolution of relativistic electron PADs in the outer radiation belt during an event that occurred from 15:19 UT to 15:49 UT on 7 September 2016. During this period, the satellite was operating near its apogee, with a slow orbital speed and minimal changes in spatial position, remaining approximately at the location L≈5.8, MLT≈2 and Mlat≈1.7°. As a result, the impact of positional changes on the observational results can be considered negligible. Satellite observations revealed that relativistic (Ek ≥ 1 MeV) electron PADs transitioned from butterfly patterns to flat-top patterns during this period, within a timescale of only 30 minutes, which is significantly shorter than previously reported cases. Concurrently, intense whistler-mode chorus waves were detected in this region. Based on observational data, we calculated the chorus-driven diffusion coefficients of relativistic electrons. We then simulated the evolution of electron PADs by solving a Fokker-Planck equation. The simulation results indicate that the diffusion driven by whistler-mode chorus waves is the primary physical mechanism responsible for the transformation of the electron PADs during this event. The research presented in this paper further demonstrates the significant role of chorus waves in the evolution of the radiation belts.

       

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