High-energy Electron Precipitation Research Articles

Properties of Intense H‐Band Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves: Implications for Quasi‐Linear, Nonlinear, and Nonresonant Wave‐Particle Interactions

AbstractResonant interactions between relativistic electrons and electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves provide an effective loss mechanism for this important electron population in the outer radiation belt. The diffusive regime of electron scattering and loss has been well incorporated into radiation belt models within the framework of the quasi‐linear diffusion theory, whereas the nonlinear regime has been mostly studied with test particle simulations. There is also a less investigated, nonresonant regime of electron scattering by EMIC waves. All three regimes should be present, depending on the EMIC waves and ambient plasma properties, but the occurrence rates of these regimes have not been previously quantified. This study provides a statistical investigation of the most important EMIC wave‐packet characteristics for the diffusive, nonlinear, and nonresonant regimes of electron scattering. We utilize 3 years of observations to derive distributions of wave amplitudes, wave‐packet sizes, and rates of frequency variations within individual wave‐packets. We demonstrate that EMIC waves typically propagate as wave‐packets with ∼10 wave periods each, and that ∼3–10% of such wave‐packets can reach the regime of nonlinear resonant interaction with 2–6 MeV electrons. We show that EMIC frequency variations within wave‐packets reach 50–100% of the center frequency, corresponding to a significant high‐frequency tail in their wave power spectrum. We explore the consequences of these wave‐packet characteristics for high and low energy electron precipitation by H‐band EMIC waves and for the relative importance of quasi‐linear and nonlinear regimes of wave‐particle interactions.

Влияние колебательно-возбужденного молекулярного азота на инфракрасное свечение газов O3 и N2O на высотах средней атмосферы Земли

The concentrations of N2(X1g+, v' = 1) and the emission intensities of infrared bands of ozone O3 and nitrous oxide N2O are calculated at altitudes of 30–70 km of the Earth's middle atmosphere during precipitation of electrons with energies E = 2, 4, 10 MeV. It is shown that for a given relativistic electron flux of 105 e/cm2·s·ster, the concentrations of vibrationally excited molecular nitrogen N2(X1g+, v' = 1) are about 105–106 cm–3 at altitudes of 50–70 km of the middle atmosphere. The emission profiles of the infrared bands of ozone at 4.7 µm and 9,9 µm, as well as the infrared band of nitrous oxide at 4.5 µm, are calculated for precipitation of high-energy electrons with energies E = 2, 4, 10 MeV. It has been shown for the first time that vibrationally excited nitrogen N2(X1g+, v' = 1) plays an important role in changing the infrared balance of the middle atmosphere as a result of inelastic molecular collisions with O3 and N2O molecules during precipitation of high-energy electrons.

Non-Thermal Nitric Oxide Formation in the Earth’s Polar Atmosphere

Auroral events are the prominent manifestation of solar/stellar forcing on planetary atmospheres because they are closely related to the stellar energy deposition by and evolution of planetary atmospheres. A numerical kinetic Monte Carlo model was developed with the aim to calculate the steady-state energy distribution functions of suprathermal N(4S) atoms in the polar upper atmosphere formed due to the precipitation of high-energy auroral electrons in the N2-O2 atmospheres of rocky planets in solar and exosolar planetary systems. This model describes on the molecular level the collisions of suprathermal N(4S) atoms and atmospheric gas taking into account the stochastic nature of collisional scattering at high kinetic energies. It was found that the electron impact dissociation of N2 is an important source of suprathermal N atoms, significantly increasing the non-thermal production of nitric oxide in the auroral regions of the N2-O2 atmospheres of terrestrial-type planets.

Observations of ion upflow and 630.0 nm emission during pulsating aurora

In this study, we report observations made by filtered (557.7 and 630.0 nm) All-Sky Imagers located at Poker Flat, Alaska alongside Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar data for an event observed on 5 February 2017. Together, the data indicate ion upflow in the vicinity of pulsating aurora. Additionally, the data show a strong 630.0 nm (red-line) auroral emission. Observations of pulsating aurora are typically reported at 557.7 and 427.8 nm, as these wavelengths are more sensitive to high-energy (∼ tens of keV) electron precipitation. In contrast, 630.0 nm emission is generated preferentially by low-energy soft electron precipitation (∼ hundreds of eV), and is less commonly observed. The All-Sky Imager data discussed here are unusual in that they suggest regions of enhanced soft electron precipitation in conjunction with enhanced ambipolar electric fields, which are a known factor contributing to ion outflow.

The Kinetic Monte Carlo Model of the Auroral Electron Precipitation into N2-O2 Planetary Atmospheres

Auroral events are the prominent manifestation of solar/stellar forcing on planetary atmospheres. They are closely related to the energy deposition by and evolution of planetary atmospheres, and their observations are widely used to analyze the composition, structure, and chemistry of the atmosphere under study, as well as energy fluxes of the precipitating particles that affect the atmosphere. A numerical kinetic Monte Carlo model had been developed, allowing us to study the processes of precipitation of high-energy auroral electrons into the N2-O2 atmospheres of the rocky planets in the Solar and exosolar planetary systems. This model describes on a molecular level the collisions of auroral electrons and atmospheric gas, taking into account the stochastic nature of collisional scattering at high kinetic energies. The current status of the kinetic model is illustrated in the applications to the auroral events on the Earth such as the production of suprathermal nitrogen atoms due to the electron impact dissociation of N2. It was found that electron impact dissociation of N2 can potentially be an important source of suprathermal N atoms in the auroral regions of the N2-O2 atmosphere of terrestrial-type planets. Such research will allow us to study the odd nitrogen chemistry as an atmospheric marker of the N2-O2 atmosphere of rocky exoplanets.

Analysis of Electron Precipitation and Ionospheric Density Enhancements Due To Hiss Using Incoherent Scatter Radar and Arase Observations

AbstractPlasmaspheric hiss can cause energetic electron precipitation from the magnetosphere to the Earth's upper atmosphere and affect the ionospheric electron density profiles. In this study, we use Arase satellite measurements in the dayside plasmasphere to model the electron precipitation and the resultant ionospheric response, and compare the results to the electron density measured by the Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR). We analyzed two close conjunction events between Arase and PFISR at L ∼ 6 in the afternoon sector, when Arase was in the outer plasmasphere and traveled into the plasmaspheric plumes. Modest or strong hiss waves were observed with amplitudes higher than 50 pT during both events. Quasilinear modeling suggests that the hiss waves could cause intense electron precipitation ranging from several keV to several hundred keV energies. The electron density profiles at 60–90 km modeled by the Boulder Electron Radiation to Ionization (BERI) model suggest significant electron density enhancements due to the precipitating electrons. PFISR simultaneously observed electron density enhancements during both events, and provided evidence for the electron precipitation at altitudes down to <70 km. The temporal modulation of hiss caused the modulated density profiles in BERI modeling, but was not evident in PFISR observations. The modeled altitude profiles of the perturbed electron density overall agree with PFISR observation. At altitudes below 75 km, the modeled electron densities are lower than the observation, suggesting additional high energy electron precipitation possibly due to low frequency (<50 Hz) waves or hiss wave powers ducted to high latitudes.

Exceptional middle latitude electron precipitation detected by balloon observations: implications for atmospheric composition

Abstract. Energetic particle precipitation leads to ionization in the Earth's atmosphere, initiating the formation of active chemical species which destroy ozone and have the potential to impact atmospheric composition and dynamics down to the troposphere. We report on one exceptionally strong high-energy electron precipitation event detected by balloon measurements in geomagnetic midlatitudes on 14 December 2009, with ionization rates locally comparable to strong solar proton events. This electron precipitation was possibly caused by wave–particle interactions in the slot region between the inner and outer radiation belts, connected with still poorly understood natural phenomena in the magnetosphere. Satellite observations of odd nitrogen and nitric acid are consistent with widespread electron precipitation into magnetic midlatitudes. Simulations with a 3D chemistry–climate model indicate the almost complete destruction of ozone in the upper mesosphere over the region where high-energy electron precipitation occurred. Such an extraordinary type of energetic particle precipitation can have major implications for the atmosphere, and their frequency and strength should be carefully studied.

Multi-passband Observations of a Solar Flare over the He i 10830 Å line

Abstract This study presents a C3.0 flare observed by the Big Bear Solar Observatory/Goode Solar Telescope (GST) and Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) on 2018 May 28 around 17:10 UT. The Near-Infrared Imaging Spectropolarimeter of GST was set to spectral imaging mode to scan five spectral positions at ±0.8, ±0.4 Å and line center of He i 10830 Å. At the flare ribbon’s leading edge, the line is observed to undergo enhanced absorption, while the rest of the ribbon is observed to be in emission. When in emission, the contrast compared to the preflare ranges from about 30% to nearly 100% at different spectral positions. Two types of spectra, “convex” shape with higher intensity at line core and “concave” shape with higher emission in the line wings, are found at the trailing and peak flaring areas, respectively. On the ribbon front, negative contrasts, or enhanced absorption, of about ∼10%–20% appear in all five wavelengths. This observation strongly suggests that the negative flares observed in He i 10830 Å with mono-filtergram previously were not caused by pure Doppler shifts of this spectral line. Instead, the enhanced absorption appears to be a consequence of flare-energy injection, namely nonthermal collisional ionization of helium caused by the precipitation of high-energy electrons, as found in our recent numerical modeling results. In addition, though not strictly simultaneous, observations of Mg ii from the IRIS spacecraft, show an obvious central reversal pattern at the locations where enhanced absorption of He i 10830 Å is seen, which is consistent with previous observations.

Simulated seasonal impact on middle atmospheric ozone from high-energy electron precipitation related to pulsating aurorae

Abstract. Recent simulation studies have provided evidence that a pulsating aurora (PsA) associated with high-energy electron precipitation is having a clear local impact on ozone chemistry in the polar middle mesosphere. However, it is not clear if the PsA is frequent enough to cause longer-term effects of measurable magnitude. There is also an open question of the relative contribution of PsA-related energetic electron precipitation (PsA EEP) to the total atmospheric forcing by solar energetic particle precipitation (EPP). Here we investigate the PsA-EEP impact on stratospheric and mesospheric odd hydrogen, odd nitrogen, and ozone concentrations. We make use of the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model and recent understanding on PsA frequency, latitudinal and magnetic local time extent, and energy-flux spectra. Analysing an 18-month time period covering all seasons, we particularly look at PsA-EEP impacts at two polar observation stations located at opposite hemispheres: Tromsø in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) and Halley Research Station in the Southern Hemisphere (SH). We find that PsA EEP can have a measurable impact on ozone concentration above 30 km altitude, with ozone depletion by up to 8 % seen in winter periods due to PsA-EEP-driven NOx enhancement. We also find that direct mesospheric NOx production by high-energy electrons (E> 100 keV) accounts for about half of the PsA-EEP-driven upper stratospheric ozone depletion. A larger PsA-EEP impact is seen in the SH where the background dynamical variability is weaker than in the NH. Clearly indicated from our results, consideration of polar vortex dynamics is required to understand PsA-EEP impacts seen at ground observation stations, especially in the NH. We conclude that PsA-EEP has the potential to make an important contribution to the total EPP forcing; thus, it should be considered in atmospheric and climate simulations.

Comparison of the Results on Precipitation of High-Energy Electrons in the Stratosphere and on Satellites

Energetic electron precipitation (EEP) into the atmosphere is one of the mechanisms of depleting the Earth’s outer radiation belt. Precipitating electrons generate bremsstrahlung that penetrates the stratosphere and is recorded by detectors on balloons. However, these observations can be carried out only when the balloon is located at altitudes higher than ~20 km. The near-Earth POES satellites are constantly recording the fluxes of precipitating electrons in the loss cone, but they move too quickly in the space. In this paper, EEPs are compared on the basis of observations in the stratosphere and on satellites during 2003 and estimates of a number of EEP events at Apatity are obtained, assuming that the radiosonde was continuously located at an altitude higher than 26 km.

Luminescence of Lyman–Birge–Hopfield Bands of N2 in the Earth’s Atmosphere during the Precipitation of High-Energy Electrons

The luminescence intensity profiles of Lyman–Birge–Hopfield bands of molecular nitrogen have been calculated for the precipitation into the Earth’s atmosphere of electrons with energies of 10 keV to 10 MeV. With an increase in the energy of electrons penetrating the atmosphere, there is an increase in the contribution of the quenching of the a1Πg N2 state in molecular collisions. This leads to a reduced ratio of the integral luminescence intensities of the Lyman–Birge–Hopfield ultraviolet bands and the second positive system upon an energy increase in high-energy electrons precipitating into the atmosphere.

Kinetic modeling of auroral events at solar and extrasolar planets

AbstractAuroral events are the prominent manifestation of solar/stellar forcing on planetary atmospheres and are closely related to the energy deposition by and evolution of planetary atmospheres. Observations of auroras are widely used to analyze the composition, structure, and chemistry of the atmosphere under study, as well as charged particle and energy fluxes that affect the atmosphere. Numerical kinetic Monte Carlo models had been developed allowing us to study the processes of precipitation of high-energy electrons, protons and hydrogen atoms into the planetary atmospheres on molecular level of description, taking into account the stochastic nature of collisional scattering at high kinetic energies. Such models are used to study auroras at both magnetized and non-magnetized planets in the Solar and extrasolar planetary systems. The current status of the kinetic model is illustrated in application to the auroral events at Mars.

Luminescence of Molecular Nitrogen Bands in the Earth’s Atmosphere during the Precipitation of High-Energy Electrons

The luminescence-intensity profiles of the bands of the first and second positive systems of molecular nitrogen were calculated for the case of the precipitation of high-energy electrons with energies from 10 keV to 10 MeV into the atmosphere. The calculations showed that the contribution of the quenching of state B3Πg N2 increases during molecular collisions with an increase in the energy of electrons intruding into the atmosphere. This leads to a decrease in the ratio of the integrated intensities of the bands of the first and second positive systems with an increase in the energy of electrons that precipitate into the atmosphere.

Spectra of high energy electron precipitation and atmospheric ionization rates retrieval from balloon measurements.

The bremsstrahlung from high and relativistic energy electron precipitation (HEEP) measured with balloon based instruments provides information on energy spectra and fluence of the precipitating energetic electrons allowing calculations of the atmospheric ionization. HEEP from the outer radiation belt at the subauroral region causes an increase in the ionization rates down to about 20 km altitudes. We study the variability in the ionization rate using the balloon observations of secondary bremsstrahlung initiated by HEEP. For the first time the changes of atmospheric ionization rates on an hourly and minute time scale at different altitudes was retrieved from balloon observations. These new highlights are important for atmospheric electricity that is sensitive to the local condition in the atmosphere including the local ionization rate.

On the Negatively Charged Layer of the Earth’s Electric Field

Based on the hydridic Earth model, we propose a hydridic model of the Earth’s electric field. The model predicts that the negative electrode of the Earth’s capacitor is located under the Earth’s crust and the Earth’s fluids carry a positive charge. We have observed an excess of positive charge in the Earth’s crust down to kilometer depths. The model explains the unitary variation of the fair-weather atmospheric electric field strength, the change in atmospheric electric field strength and the precipitation of high-energy electrons during earthquakes.

Disturbance in the lower ionosphere that accompanied the reentry of the Chelyabinsk cosmic body

The paper describes quasi-periodic and aperiodic variations in the phase and amplitude of radio waves of LF and VLF ranges, which accompanied the flight and explosion of the Chelyabinsk meteoroid. Quasi-periodic variations in the phase have been explained by the generation of acoustic-gravity waves in the atmosphere, which modulate the electron density in the ionosphere and the phase of radio waves. Aperiodic variations in the phase and amplitude of radio waves are associated with an increase in the electron density in the lower ionosphere (at altitudes of 65–70 km). This increase was most likely caused by the interactions of subsystems in the Earth–atmosphere–ionosphere–magnetosphere system or, more correctly, by the precipitation of high-energy electrons from the magnetosphere into the lower ionosphere, which was stimulated by the flight and explosion of a cosmic body. According to the estimates, the density of the flux of electrons with energies of 100 KeV should be on the order of 106 m–2 s–1.

Dynamic regimes of cyclotron instability in the afterglow mode of minimum-B electron cyclotron resonance ion source plasma

The paper is concerned with the dynamic regimes of cyclotron instabilities in non-equilibrium plasma of a minimum-B electron cyclotron resonance ion source operated in pulsed mode. The instability appears in decaying ion source plasma shortly (1–10 ms) after switching off the microwave radiation of the klystron, and manifests itself in the form of powerful pulses of electromagnetic emission associated with precipitation of high-energy electrons along the magnetic field lines. Recently it was shown that this plasma instability causes perturbations of the extracted ion current, which limits the performance of the ion source and generates strong bursts of bremsstrahlung emission. In this article we present time-resolved diagnostics of electromagnetic emission bursts related to cyclotron instability in the decaying plasma. The temporal resolution is sufficient to study the fine structure of the dynamic spectra of the electromagnetic emission at different operating regimes of the ion source. It was found that at different values of magnetic field and heating power the dynamic spectra demonstrate common features: Decreasing frequency from burst to burst and an always falling tone during a single burst of instability. The analysis has shown that the instability is driven by the resonant interaction of hot electrons, distributed between the electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) zone and the trap center, with slow extraordinary wave propagation quasi-parallel with respect to the external magnetic field.

Enhancement of High Energy Electron Fluxes and Variation of Atmospheric Electric Field in the Antarctic Region ormalsize

High-energy electron precipitation in the high latitude regions enhances the ionization of the atmosphere, and subsequently increases the atmospheric conductivities and the vertical electric field of the atmosphere near the ground as well. The High-Energy Electron Flux (HEEF) data measured by the Fengyun-3 meteorological satellite are analyzed together with the data of near-surface atmospheric vertical electric field measured at the Russian Vostok Station. Three HEEF enhancements are identified and it is shown that when the HEEF increases to a certain level, the local atmospheric vertical electric field near the ground can increase substantially than usual. The response time of the electric field to HEEF enhancement is about 3.7 to 4 days.

Cyclotron instability in the afterglow mode of minimum-B ECRIS.

It was shown recently that cyclotron instability in non-equilibrium plasma of a minimum-B electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS) causes perturbation of the extracted ion current and generation of strong bursts of bremsstrahlung emission, which limit the performance of the ion source. The present work is devoted to the dynamic regimes of plasma instability in ECRIS operated in pulsed mode. Instability develops in decaying plasma shortly after heating microwaves are switched off and manifests itself in the form of powerful pulses of electromagnetic emission associated with precipitation of high energy electrons. Time-resolved measurements of microwave emission bursts are presented. It was found that even in various gases (helium and oxygen were studied) and at different values of magnetic field and heating power, the dynamic spectra demonstrate common features: decreasing frequency within a single burst as well as from one burst to another.

Connection between the appearance of γ-ray sources and Hα line impact linear polarization in the July 23, 2002 flare

During our spectropolarimetric observations of the 2B/4.8X flare on July 23, 2002, with the Large Solar Vacuum Telescope (LSVT), we detected impact linear polarization in the southern ribbon. The maximum polarization exceeded 10%. On the whole, the polarization was observed only for ~6 min out of almost 2 h of observations of this flare. At this time, the Hα line profiles had a deep central self-reversal. We have compared the LSVT observations with the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) data, where the locations of γ-ray emission were obtained for the first time. A careful comparison has revealed that the effects in the Hα line were observed in a region <10″ located between two X-ray sources in the southern ribbon. According to the RHESSI data, a γ-ray source attributable to a beam of high-energy (~1 MeV) electrons was observed at the same place. The events in the corona and the upper chromosphere also coincide in time with the observed effects in the Hα line. The two X-ray sources are assumed to represent a common footpoint of the southern foot of the loop bifurcated due to the precipitation of high-energy electrons. It is suggested that the penetration of these electrons into the dense layers of the chromosphere could lead to impact polarization and a decrease of the Hα line intensity in the southern ribbon of the flare, in contrast to the northern ribbon where a typical hard X-ray source with an energy ~20–120 keV was observed; there were no self-reversal at the Hα line center and polarization.