Electron trapping and charge transport by large amplitude whistlers

Abstract

Trapping of electrons by magnetospheric whistlers is investigated using data from the Waves experiment on Wind and the S/WAVES experiment on STEREO. Waveforms often show a characteristic distortion which is shown to be due to electrons trapped in the potential of the electrostatic part of oblique whistlers. The density of trapped electrons is significant, comparable to that of the unperturbed whistler. Transport of these trapped electrons to new regions can generate potentials of several kilovolts. Trapping and the associated potentials may play an important role in the acceleration of Earth's radiation belt electrons. © 2010 by the American Geophysical Union.