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Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY
Data sources: Crossref
https://doi.org/10.22541/essoa...
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
Data sources: Crossref
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Including Atmospheric Backscatter Effects in Modeling of EMIC Wave‐Driven Precipitation

Authors: Zhi-Gu Li; Weichao Tu; Richard S. Selesnick; Luisa Capannolo; Grant Berland; Qianli Ma;

Including Atmospheric Backscatter Effects in Modeling of EMIC Wave‐Driven Precipitation

Abstract

Abstract Pitch‐angle diffusion is a key mechanism driving radiation belt electron loss into the atmosphere. However, traditional bounce‐averaged models, which assume complete atmospheric absorption for loss cone electrons, cannot accurately quantify the loss cone fluxes. This shortfall arises primarily from two issues: bounce‐averaging assumptions generally breakdown within the loss cone, and atmospheric backscatter effects are omitted. In this study, we use a modified bounce‐averaged pitch‐angle diffusion model to show that the inclusion of backscatter effects inside the loss cone can adequately estimate the pitch‐angle distribution of electrons inside the loss cone for the case of Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) wave‐driven precipitation. In this modified model, atmospheric backscatter effects are incorporated as an additional backscatter‐induced pitch‐angle diffusion (), and an attenuation of atmospheric absorption (). Here, we quantify the values of and using Geant4‐based Monte Carlo atmospheric backscatter simulation and applied to model electron precipitation driven by EMIC waves. Comparisons with ELFIN satellite observations during EMIC events reveal that the inclusion of atmospheric backscatter resolves previously reported discrepancies at electron energies . For electrons, where EMIC wave diffusion is dominant over backscatter‐induced diffusion, backscatter effects become negligible. Notably, we find that accounts for nearly all the observed enhancements in the loss cone flux, while plays a secondary role.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
hybrid