Discovery of the Action of a Geophysical Synchrotron in the Earth's Van Allen Radiation Belts

Authors

I. R. Mann, University of AlbertaFollow
E. A. Lee, University of Alberta
S. Claudepierre, Aerospace CorporationFollow
Joseph F. Fennell, Aerospace CorporationFollow
A. Degeling, University of Alberta
I. J. Rae, University of Alberta
D. N. Baker, University of Colorado BoulderFollow
Geoffrey Reeves, Los Alamos National LaboratoryFollow
Harlan E. Spence, University of New HampshireFollow
L. G. Ozeke, University of Alberta
R. Rankin, University of Alberta
D. K. Milling, University of Alberta
A. Kale, University of Alberta
R. Friedel, Los Alamos National Laboratory
F. Honary, Lancaster University

Abstract

Although the Earth’s Van Allen radiation belts were discovered over 50 years ago, the dominant processes responsible for relativistic electron acceleration, transport and loss remain poorly understood. Here we show evidence for the action of coherent acceleration due to resonance with ultra-low frequency waves on a planetary scale. Data from the CRRES probe, and from the recently launched multi-satellite NASA Van Allen Probes mission, with supporting modelling, collectively show coherent ultra-low frequency interactions which high energy resolution data reveals are far more common than either previously thought or observed. The observed modulations and energy-dependent spatial structure indicate a mode of action analogous to a geophysical synchrotron; this new mode of response represents a significant shift in known Van Allen radiation belt dynamics and structure. These periodic collisionless betatron acceleration processes also have applications in understanding the dynamics of, and periodic electromagnetic emissions from, distant plasma-astrophysical systems.

Department

Physics

Publication Date

11-2013

Journal Title

Nature Communications

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/ncomms3795

Document Type

Article

Recommended Citation

Mann, I. R., E. A. Lee, S. G. Claudepierre, J. F. Fennell, A. Degeling, I. J. Rae, D. N. Baker, G. D. Reeves, H. E. Spence, L. G. Ozeke, R. Rankin, D. K. Milling, A. Kale, R. H. W. Friedel, and F. Honary. Discovery of the Action of a Geophysical Synchrotron in the Earth's Van Allen Radiation Belts. Nature Communications, 4, 2795, doi:10.1038/ncomms3795, 2013.