On the relationship between electron flux oscillations and ULF wave‐driven radial transport

Abstract

AbstractThe objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the levels of electron flux oscillations and radial diffusion for different Phase Space Density gradients, through observation and particle‐tracing simulations under the effect of model ultralow frequency fluctuations. This investigation aims to demonstrate that electron flux oscillation is associated with and could be used as an indicator of ongoing radial diffusion. To this direction, flux oscillations are observed through the Van Allen Probes' Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometer (MagEIS) subsequently, flux oscillations are produced in a particle‐tracing model that simulates radial diffusion by using model magnetic and electric field fluctuations that are approximating measured magnetic and electric field fluctuations as recorded by the Van Allen Probes' Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science (EMFISIS) and Electric Fields and Waves (EFW) instruments, respectively. The flux oscillation amplitudes are then correlated with Phase Space Density gradients in the magnetosphere and with the ongoing radial diffusion process.