Nonlinear interaction of energetic electrons with large amplitude chorus

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Abstract
The effect of large amplitude chorus on energetic, radiation‐belt electrons is evaluated using a general, relativistic, oblique, test‐particle code. Three specific cases are examined: (A) Low‐amplitude waves interacting at low‐latitudes exhibit the expected, linear scattering which leads to large‐scale diffusive behavior. (B) Large‐amplitude waves interacting at low‐latitudes result in monotonic decreases in pitch‐angle and energy due to a resonance dislocation effect, leading to large‐scale de‐energization and particle loss. (C) Large‐amplitude waves interacting obliquely at high latitudes result in a combination of the above behaviors, as well as nonlinear phase‐trapping which leads to rapid, dramatic increases in both energy and pitch‐angle of a small portion of the test‐particles. These results suggest that the intensity of individual, discrete wave elements is critical for quantifying the large‐scale dynamics of the radiation‐belts.

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