Scattering of energetic electrons through nonlinear cyclotron resonance with coherent whistler-mode hiss emissions

Abstract

Recent observations have revealed that plasmaspheric hiss consists of many discrete waves called “hiss elements.” However, the interaction of energetic electrons (10 keV to several MeV) with the plasmaspheric hiss has only been simulated by the quasilinear (QL) diffusion theory, which does not take the fine wave structure into account. The QL theory cannot address nonlinear particle motions determined by the inhomogeneity factor, which influences the scattering of electrons in pitch angle and energy. This study aims to identify differences between the nonlinear wave–particle interaction and QL theory for plasmaspheric hiss emissions. We conduct test particle simulations to demonstrate the nonlinear interactions between hiss waves and electrons. The nonlinear theory is used to model hiss elements consisting of discrete frequencies and continuous phases. Unlike the other theories, the frequency and amplitude variations in time of the hiss packet are taken into account. Frequencies of the packets are determined to satisfy the separability criterion; when the criterion is met, resonance overlapping is absent, and the electrons can generate each wave element independently. The realistic simulation model of hiss waves reproduces the scattering of electrons by both first- and second-order resonances. We also evaluate the efficiency of electron scattering by calculating nonlinear diffusion coefficients. The diffusion coefficient of equatorial pitch angle is of the same order of magnitude as those calculated by the QL diffusion theory, while we find the effective acceleration of resonant electrons by successive nonlinear trapping, which is not evaluated by the QL theory.