Open AccessPitch angle scattering of relativistic electrons near electromagnetic ion cyclotron resonances in diverging magnetic fields
Author(s) -
Bengt Eliasson,
K. Papadopoulos
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plasma physics and controlled fusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.328
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1361-6587
pISSN - 0741-3335
DOI - 10.1088/1361-6587/aa8100
Subject(s) - physics , electron , pitch angle , scattering , computational physics , atomic physics , magnetic field , cyclotron resonance , ionosphere , cyclotron , amplitude , ion , optics , nuclear physics , geophysics , quantum mechanics
A theoretical study of the propagation of left hand polarized shear Alfvén waves in spatially decreasing magnetic field geometries near the EMIC resonance, including the spectrum and amplitude of the mode converted EMIC waves and the pitch angle scattering of relativistic electrons transiting the resonant region, is presented. The objective of the paper is to motivate an experimental study of the subject using the UCLA LAPD chamber. The results are relevant in exploring the possibility that shear Alfvén waves strategically injected into the radiation belts using either ionospheric heating from ground based RF transmitters or injected by transmitters based on space platforms can enhance the precipitation rate of trapped relativistic electrons. Effects of multi-ionic composition are also investigated