Field Line Curvature (FLC) Scattering in the Dayside Off‐Equatorial Minima Regions

Abstract

AbstractMagnetic field line curvature (FLC) scattering is an effective mechanism for collisionless particle scattering. In the terrestrial magnetosphere, the FLC scattering plays an essential role in shaping the outer boundary of protons radiation belt, the rapid decay of ring current, and the formation of proton isotropic boundary (IB). However, previous studies have yet to adequately investigate the influence of FLC scattering on charged particles in the Earth's dayside magnetosphere, particularly in the off‐equatorial magnetic minima regions. This study employs T89 magnetic field model to investigate the impacts of FLC scattering on ring current protons in the dayside magnetosphere, with a specific focus on the off‐equatorial minimum regions. We analyze the spatial distributions of single and dual magnetic minima regions, adiabatic parameter, and pitch angle diffusion coefficients due to FLC scattering as functions of Kp. The results show that the effects of FLC scattering are significant not only on the dusk and dawn sides but also in the off‐equatorial minima regions on the noon. Additionally, we investigate the role of dipole tilt angle in the hemispheric asymmetry of FLC scattering effects. The dipole tilt angle controls the overall displacement of the dayside magnetosphere, resulting in different FLC scattering effects in the two hemispheres. Our study holds significance for understanding the FLC scattering effects in the off‐equatorial region of Earth's dayside magnetosphere and for constructing a more accurate dynamic model of particles.