Modeling pitch angle scattering of radiation belt particles by the injection of low frequency waves with F-region HF-driven ionospheric currents

Abstract

The Earth's inner radiation belt located inside L = 2 is dominated by a relatively stable flux of trapped protons and electrons. The trapped proton energy ranges from a few to over 100 MeV and electron energy is higher than a few hundred keV. Radiation effects in spacecraft electronics caused by the inner radiation belt electrons and protons are the major cause of performance anomalies and lifetime of Low Earth Orbit satellites. For mitigating these hazards it is necessary to investigate ways for reducing the electron and proton life times, for example, through pitch angle scattering by waves. Injection of low frequency Electromagnetic Ion-Cyclotron (EMIC) and shear Alfven waves (SAW) into the Earth's inner radiation belt to pitch-angle scatter and enhance precipitation of energetic electrons and protons provides artificial means of Radiation Belt Remediation (RBR) for electron belt and Proton Radiation Belt Remediation (PRBR).