ROLE OF CHORUS WAVES IN ENERGETIC ELECTRON ACCELERATION IN THE OUTER RADIATION BELT

Abstract

Chorus waves, a type of whistler-mode plasma wave, play a pivotal role in the dynamics of the outer radiation belt by accelerating seed electrons to relativistic energies. This article presents a comprehensive investigation of the generation, propagation, and interaction of chorus waves with energetic electrons during geomagnetic storm events. Using data from the Van Allen Probes and THEMIS missions, combined with statistical modeling and wave-particle interaction theory, we show that chorus wave amplification in the post-midnight sector is responsible for significant electron flux enhancements. The findings are supported by observational correlations, phase space density reconstruction, and local pitch-angle diffusion coefficient analysis. These results underscore the importance of chorus waves in radiation belt dynamics and contribute to improved space weather forecasting models.