The radiation belts of the Earth and other magnetized planets are populated by relativistic particles which are highly dynamic due to various source and loss processes. Although the Earth's intrinsic magnetic fields trap charged particles, the satellite observations revealed that the outer radiation belt fluxes are strongly affected by solar wind and geomagnetic activities.
The direct drivers of the radiation belt variability are radial diffusion due to ultra-low frequency waves, and local wave-particle interactions due to whistler-mode waves, electron cyclotron waves and ion cyclotron waves. Quasilinear and nonlinear theories were developed to demonstrate and quantify the importance of each process in the radiation belt dynamics.
Numerical simulations generally reproduce the overall source and loss of radiation belt particles, but detailed quantification of the observed features is challenging. Machine learning technique is proved as a useful tool in reproducing and forecasting the particle fluxes in radiation belts.
The goal of this research topic is to advance the understanding of radiation belt dynamics and improve the capability to model and forecast the energetic particles and plasma waves in the magnetosphere. To achieve this goal, we will address the following problems:
1. What are the characteristics and distributions of the waves and energetic particles in the radiation belts?
2. How do the radiation belt particle flux evolve due to various source and loss processes?
3. How to quantitatively model and forecast the radiation belt fluxes with improved accuracy?
4. What is the relation between the radiation belts and other regions in the magnetosphere and ionosphere?
The above questions will be addressed by soliciting a series of research articles on the radiation belt dynamics. The research areas that we are interested are listed in the section below. Although there have been many publications on the radiation belt dynamics in the past, there are still gaps in understanding the wave-particle interactions and issues in radiation belt modeling with high confidence. Recent advances in theory development, modeling capability and observations from currently operating satellites could provide tools to resolve the above questions.
We would like to solicitate articles on original research. The scope of research topic is understanding and quantifying the radiation belt dynamics in the radiation belts of Earth and other magnetized planets. The specific themes include:
1. New features of plasma waves and energetic particles revealed by the currently operating and past satellite missions in the radiation belts;
2. Distribution, evolution and variation of the plasma waves and particles based on recent satellite observation, and the relation with solar wind perturbations;
3. Theoretical analysis of wave-particle interactions and the application to the radiation belt environment;
4. Quasilinear and nonlinear modeling of the radiation belt particle evolution to quantify the transport, acceleration, and loss of energetic particles;
5. Coupling between the radiation belts and other regions including the ionosphere, plasmasphere, ring current and plasma sheet, through the means of precipitation, particle transport, energy flow, and wave propagation;
6. Comparative studies about the radiation belts of the Earth, Jupiter and Saturn;
7. Machine learning modeling and forecast of the radiation belt environment.
The radiation belts of the Earth and other magnetized planets are populated by relativistic particles which are highly dynamic due to various source and loss processes. Although the Earth's intrinsic magnetic fields trap charged particles, the satellite observations revealed that the outer radiation belt fluxes are strongly affected by solar wind and geomagnetic activities.
The direct drivers of the radiation belt variability are radial diffusion due to ultra-low frequency waves, and local wave-particle interactions due to whistler-mode waves, electron cyclotron waves and ion cyclotron waves. Quasilinear and nonlinear theories were developed to demonstrate and quantify the importance of each process in the radiation belt dynamics.
Numerical simulations generally reproduce the overall source and loss of radiation belt particles, but detailed quantification of the observed features is challenging. Machine learning technique is proved as a useful tool in reproducing and forecasting the particle fluxes in radiation belts.
The goal of this research topic is to advance the understanding of radiation belt dynamics and improve the capability to model and forecast the energetic particles and plasma waves in the magnetosphere. To achieve this goal, we will address the following problems:
1. What are the characteristics and distributions of the waves and energetic particles in the radiation belts?
2. How do the radiation belt particle flux evolve due to various source and loss processes?
3. How to quantitatively model and forecast the radiation belt fluxes with improved accuracy?
4. What is the relation between the radiation belts and other regions in the magnetosphere and ionosphere?
The above questions will be addressed by soliciting a series of research articles on the radiation belt dynamics. The research areas that we are interested are listed in the section below. Although there have been many publications on the radiation belt dynamics in the past, there are still gaps in understanding the wave-particle interactions and issues in radiation belt modeling with high confidence. Recent advances in theory development, modeling capability and observations from currently operating satellites could provide tools to resolve the above questions.
We would like to solicitate articles on original research. The scope of research topic is understanding and quantifying the radiation belt dynamics in the radiation belts of Earth and other magnetized planets. The specific themes include:
1. New features of plasma waves and energetic particles revealed by the currently operating and past satellite missions in the radiation belts;
2. Distribution, evolution and variation of the plasma waves and particles based on recent satellite observation, and the relation with solar wind perturbations;
3. Theoretical analysis of wave-particle interactions and the application to the radiation belt environment;
4. Quasilinear and nonlinear modeling of the radiation belt particle evolution to quantify the transport, acceleration, and loss of energetic particles;
5. Coupling between the radiation belts and other regions including the ionosphere, plasmasphere, ring current and plasma sheet, through the means of precipitation, particle transport, energy flow, and wave propagation;
6. Comparative studies about the radiation belts of the Earth, Jupiter and Saturn;
7. Machine learning modeling and forecast of the radiation belt environment.
