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Radial diffusion of relativistic electrons in Neptune's magnetosphere
Author(s) -
Selesnick R. S.,
Stone E. C.
Publication year - 1994
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 - 10.1029/94gl01357
Subject(s) - magnetosphere , physics , van allen radiation belt , neptune , diffusion , electron , ambipolar diffusion , diffusion equation , computational physics , exponential function , atomic physics , astrophysics , plasma , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics , planet , mathematical analysis , economy , mathematics , economics , service (business)
Measurements of ≳1 MeV electrons in Neptune's magnetosphere from L ≈ 4 to 14 are well represented by solutions of a model radial diffusion equation that includes losses due to absorption by the satellite Proteus. The model provides estimates of the radial diffusion coefficient, which is 5 × 10 −8 ( L /5) 8 s −1 , and the outer boundary energy spectrum, which is an exponential with an e ‐folding energy of 0.1 MeV. The diffusion coefficient is consistent with theoretical estimates based on the assumption that diffusion is driven by atmospheric neutral winds.