Energetic electron interaction with broadband ULF waves

Electron energization in Earth's radiation belts is frequently explained in terms of an internal process whose effects can be enhanced by radial diffusion. Both types of energization include resonant interactions of the electrons with low-frequency waves. Spectra of such waves are often assumed to be broadband and to have a typical range of negative spectral indices (similar to 1/f), however recent studies show that power spectra of ground geomagnetic pulsations are significantly more complex. We use particle tracing simulations in a realistic magnetospheric field configuration to determine the effects of the spectral parameters. The low-frequency wave contribution to the radial diffusion coefficient is found to vary as a function of the spectral index magnitude. Research was supported by NSF/AGS 0741841.