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Combined convective and diffusive simulations: VERB‐4D comparison with 17 March 2013 Van Allen Probes observations
Author(s) -
Shprits Yuri Y.,
Kellerman Adam C.,
Drozdov Alexander Y.,
Spence Harlan E.,
Reeves Geoffrey D.,
Baker Daniel N.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2015gl065230
Subject(s) - physics , van allen probes , van allen radiation belt , electron , magnetosphere , ring current , convection , computational physics , geomagnetic storm , range (aeronautics) , diffusion , atomic physics , earth's magnetic field , nuclear physics , plasma , mechanics , magnetic field , quantum mechanics , materials science , composite material
This study is focused on understanding the coupling between different electron populations in the inner magnetosphere and the various physical processes that determine evolution of electron fluxes at different energies. Observations during the 17 March 2013 storm and simulations with a newly developed Versatile Electron Radiation Belt‐4D (VERB‐4D) are presented. Analysis of the drift trajectories of the energetic and relativistic electrons shows that electron trajectories at transitional energies with a first invariant on the scale of ~100 MeV/G may resemble ring current or relativistic electron trajectories depending on the level of geomagnetic activity. Simulations with the VERB‐4D code including convection, radial diffusion, and energy diffusion are presented. Sensitivity simulations including various physical processes show how different acceleration mechanisms contribute to the energization of energetic electrons at transitional energies. In particular, the range of energies where inward transport is strongly influenced by both convection and radial diffusion are studied. The results of the 4‐D simulations are compared to Van Allen Probes observations at a range of energies including source, seed, and core populations of the energetic and relativistic electrons in the inner magnetosphere.