On the threshold energization of radiation belt electrons by double layers.

Recent in situ electric field measurements by the Van Allen Probes in the radiation belts have revealed the existence and ubiquitous presence of double layers [Mozer et al. Phys. Rev. Lett., 2013]. Encounters with double layers during 1 minute burst mode intervals were both common and indicative of large cumulative potential drops. With electric fields averaging 20 mV/m, and sometimes reaching as high as 100 mV/m, observed double layers have been suggested as possible accelerators of radiation belt electrons and generators of a seed population of 100 keV. Using a Hamiltonian approach we quantify the energization threshold of electrons interacting with radiation belts' double layers analytically and numerically. We find that double layers with electric field amplitude δE ranging between 10-100 mV/m and spatial scales of the order of few Debye lengths are very efficient in energizing electrons with initial velocities v ≤ vthermal≈3000 km/s to 1 keV levels, but are unable to energize electrons with energies E ≥ 10 keV. Our results therefore indicate that the localized electric field associated with the double layers are unlikely to generate a seed population of 100 keV necessary for a plethora of relativistic acceleration mechanisms and additional transport to higher energetic levels.