Wave-particle interactions in the outer radiation belts

TL;DR

This paper presents extensive evidence from Van Allen Probes showing non-linear wave-particle interactions in the outer radiation belts, leading to rapid electron acceleration via Landau resonance with specific plasma waves.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive experimental evidence, simulations, and theories of non-linear wave-particle interactions in space radiation belts, highlighting their role in electron acceleration.

Findings

Non-linear interactions cause rapid electron acceleration.

Landau resonance with TDS and chorus waves is significant.

Experimental and simulation data support the non-linear process.

Abstract

Data from the Van Allen Probes have provided the first extensive evidence of non-linear (as opposed to quasi-linear) wave-particle interactions in space with the associated rapid (fraction of a bounce period) electron acceleration to hundreds of keV by Landau resonance in the parallel electric fields of time domain structures (TDS) and very oblique chorus waves. The experimental evidence, simulations, and theories of these processes are discussed. {\bf Key words:} the radiation belts, wave-particle interaction, plasma waves and instabilities