Modeling of proton nose structures in the inner magnetosphere with a self-consistent electric field model

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We present the results of inner magnetosphere numerical modeling with a self-consistent electric field. We reconstruct proton energy-time spectrograms, including some with proton nose structures. Using different sets of input parameters we investigate the role of the dawn–dusk potential drop and plasma sheet concentration on nose structure formation and dynamics. It is shown that nose structures can form up to L ≈ 3.3 under periods of enhanced potential drop. The penetration of nose structures depends on shielding strength, which in turn is governed by boundary plasma concentration. In a quiet interval after a temporary potential drop increase, multiple nose structures are formed.