Effects of Whistler-Mode and Other Waves in the Magnetosphere.
Abstract
This report covers progress on three research topics related to the dynamics of natural and artificial radiation belts, with emphasis on the consequences of interactions between geomagnetically trapped electrons and waves that propagate in the magnetospheric plasma. Part I includes a review of the Kennel-Petschek saturation concept and a solution of the model nonlinear differential equation that describes the evolution of charged-particle intensities above, near, and below saturation level. Part II provides an estimate of the limiting energy spectrum of a saturated radiation belt of specified pitch-angle anistropy. Part III provides a review of eigenfunction methods in pitch-angle diffusion theory and a prescription for constructing optimal basis functions for the numerical calculation of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the pitch-angle diffusion operator. Keywords: Eigenfunction methods; Kennel Petschek limit; Pitch angle diffusion; Radiation belts. (Author).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 20, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA157832
Entities
People
- A. L. Vampola
- D. J. Boucher Jr
- Michael P. Schultz
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation