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Rapid radiation belt recovery following storm time depletion involves local acceleration of multi-MeV electrons in nonlinear interactions with VLF chorus waves. Previous studies of an apparent impenetrable barrier at L ~ 2.8 focused on diffusion and precipitation loss mechanisms for an explanation of the sharp reduction of multi-MeV electron fluxes earthward of L ~ 3. Van Allen Probes observations for cases when the plasmasphere is contracted earthward of L ~ 3 indicate that strong coherent signals from VLF transmitters can play significant roles in the suppression of nonlinear chorus wave growth earthward of L ~ 3. As a result, local nonlinear acceleration of hundreds of keV electrons to MeV energies does not occur in this region. During the recovery of the outer radiation belt when the plasmasphere is significantly contracted, the suppression of chorus wave growth and local acceleration by the action of the transmitter waves at the outer edge of the VLF bubble contributes to the sharp inner edge of the new MeV electron population and the formation of the impenetrable barrier at L ~ 2.8., NASA (Contract NAS5‐01072)

Nonlinear processes are involved in both the growth of VLF chorus waves and the energization of radiation belt electrons trapped in the wave potential. Nonlinear theory has led to analytic formulae describing both these processes. To investigate these processes, observations from the Van Allen Probes twin spacecraft provide simultaneous in situ information on VLF chorus waves, radiation belt and injected electrons, and local plasma parameters. We combine the theoretical treatment summarized by Omura (2021) with these in situ observations to investigate the characteristics and effects of nonlinear radiation belt processes at the off-equatorial location of the spacecraft observations. We show the smooth phase transition between initial subpackets of chorus wave elements, conducive to extended trapping and enhancement of resonant electrons. The structure of the chorus wave element changes as it propagates away from the equator. Frequency dispersion due to the variation of parallel wave group velocity with frequency contributes to the chorus waveform frequency sweep rate observed at an off-equatorial location. Nonlinear damping at the local value of ½ fce progressively erodes wave amplitude at frequencies above ½ fceEQ. We examine the important dependencies of the nonlinear inhomogeneity factor on the time rate of change of the wave frequency and the field-aligned gradient of the magnetic field and discuss their implication for the energization of trapped non-relativistic and MeV electrons. The 0.5–2% energy gain we find for 3–6 MeV seed electrons indicates that prompt local acceleration of highly relativistic and ultra-relativistic radiation belt electrons can take place directly through their nonlinear interaction with an individual VLF chorus wave element.

Van Allen Probes in situ observations are used to examine detailed subpacket structure observed in strong VLF (very low frequency) rising-tone chorus elements observed at the time of a rapid MeV electron energization in the inner magnetosphere. Analysis of the frequency gap between lower and upper chorus-band waves identifies f[subscript ceEQ], the electron gyrofrequency in the equatorial wave generation region. Initial subpackets in these strong chorus rising-tone elements begin at a frequency near 1/4 f[subscript ceEQ] and exhibit smooth gradual frequency increase across their > 10 ms temporal duration. A second much stronger subpacket is seen at frequencies around the local value of 1/4f[subscript ce] with small wave normal angle (< 10°) and steeply rising df/dt. Smooth frequency and phase variation across and between the initial subpackets support continuous phase trapping of resonant electrons and increased potential for MeV electron acceleration. The total energy gain for individual seed electrons with energies between 100 keV and 3 MeV ranges between 2 and 15%, in their nonlinear interaction with a single chorus element., NASA (Contract NAS5‐01072)

The geospace plume couples the ionosphere, plasmasphere, and magnetosphere from sub-auroral regions to the magnetopause, on polar field lines, and into the magnetotail. We describe Van Allen Probes observations of ionospheric O+ ions at altitudes of 3–6 R[subscript E] in the near vicinity of the geospace plume in the noon and post-noon sector. The temporal variation of warm ion fluxes observed as a function of time on a moving spacecraft is complicated by changing spacecraft position and complex ion drift paths and velocities that are highly sensitive to ion energy, pitch angle and L value. In the “notch” region of lower density plasma outside the morning-side plasmapause, bi-directionally field aligned fluxes of lower energy (<5 keV) ions, following corotation-dominated drift trajectories from the midnight sector, are excluded from geospace plume field lines as they are deflected sunward in the plume flow channel. In general, O+ at ring current energies (∼10 keV) is bi-directionally field aligned on plume field lines, while lower energy O⁺(<3 keV) are absent. The observation of ion plumes with energies increasing from ∼1 keV– > 20 keV in the dusk sector outer plasmasphere is interpreted as evidence for localized ionospheric O+ outflow at the outer edge of the geospace plume with subsequent O+ acceleration to >50 keV in <30 min during the ions’ sunward drift., NASA (Contract NAS5‐01072)

Efficient acceleration of relativistic electrons at Landau resonance with obliquely propagating whistler-mode chorus emissions is confirmed by theory, simulation, and observation. The acceleration is due to the perpendicular component of the wave electric field. We first review theoretical analysis of nonlinear motion of resonant electrons interacting with obliquely propagating whistler-mode chorus. We have derived formulae of inhomogeneity factors for Landau and cyclotron resonances to analyze nonlinear wave trapping of energetic electrons by an obliquely propagating chorus element. We performed test particle simulations to confirm that nonlinear wave trapping by both Landau and cyclotron resonances can take place for a wide range of energies. For an element of large amplitude chorus waves observed by the Van Allen Probes, we have performed detailed analyses of the wave form data based on theoretical framework of nonlinear trapping of resonant electrons. We compare the efficiencies of accelerations by cyclotron and Landau resonances. We find significant acceleration can take place both in Landau and cyclotron resonances. What controls the dynamics of relativistic electrons in the Landau resonance is the perpendicular field components rather than the parallel electric field of the oblique chorus wave. In evaluating the efficiency of nonlinear trapping, we have taken into account variation of the wave trapping potential structure controlled by the inhomogeneity factors., National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

The Relativistic Electron-Proton Telescope (REPT) instruments were designed to measure ∼2 to >18 MeV electrons and ∼18 to > 115 MeV protons as part of the science payloads onboard the dual Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) spacecraft. The REPT instruments were turned on and configured in their science acquisition modes about 2 days after the RBSP launch on 30 August 2012. The REPT-A and REPT-B instruments both operated flawlessly until mission cessation in 2019. This paper reviews briefly the REPT instrument designs, their operational performance, relevant mode changes and trending over the course of the mission, as well as pertinent background effects (and recommended corrections). A substantial part of this paper highlights discoveries and significant advancement of our understanding of physical-processes obtained using REPT data. We do this for energetic electrons primarily in the outer Van Allen belt and for energetic protons in the inner Van Allen zone. The review also describes several ways in which REPT data were employed for important space weather applications. The paper concludes with assessments of ways that REPT data might further be exploited to continue to advance radiation belt studies. The paper also discusses the pressing and critical need for the operational continuation of REPT-like measurements both for science and for space situational awareness.

Simultaneous multi-instrument observations of the redistribution of cold (<2 eV) plasma of ionospheric origin emphasize the role and importance of this system-wide phenomenon in the processes and across the regions of geospace. The geospace plume couples the ionosphere, plasmasphere, and magnetosphere from sub-auroral regions to the magnetopause, on polar field lines and into the magnetotail. We investigate the geospace plume using ground- and space-based observations of the 17 March 2015 major magnetic storm. Strong electric fields, plasma waves, and accelerated heavy ions characterized Van Allen Probes observations at the source of the geospace plume in the dusk sector where energetic ring current ions overlap the outer plasmasphere. On the dayside, Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) spacecraft sampled the outflowing geospace plume and its involvement in reconnection at the magnetopause. Plume ions were accelerated and subsequently observed at up to ~1-keV energies in the reconnection exhaust jets., NASA (Contract NAS5‐01072)

Van Allen Probes observations during the 17 March 2015 major geomagnetic storm strongly suggest that VLF transmitter-induced waves play an important role in sculpting the earthward extent of outer zone MeV electrons. A magnetically confined bubble of very low frequency (VLF) wave emissions of terrestrial, human-produced origin surrounds the Earth. The outer limit of the VLF bubble closely matches the position of an apparent barrier to the inward extent of multi-MeV radiation belt electrons near 2.8 Earth radii. When the VLF transmitter signals extend beyond the eroded plasmapause, electron loss processes set up near the outer extent of the VLF bubble create an earthward limit to the region of local acceleration near L = 2.8 as MeV electrons are scattered into the atmospheric loss cone., United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (contract NAS5-01072)

Prompt recovery of MeV (millions of electron Volts) electron populations in the poststorm core of the outer terrestrial radiation belt involves local acceleration of a seed population of energetic electrons in interactions with VLF chorus waves. Electron interactions during the generation of VLF rising tones are strongly nonlinear, such that a fraction of the relativistic electrons at resonant energies are trapped by waves, leading to significant nonadiabatic energy exchange. Through detailed examination of VLF chorus and electron fluxes observed by Van Allen Probes, we investigate the efficiency of nonlinear processes for acceleration of electrons to MeV energies. We find through subpacket analysis of chorus waveforms that electrons with initial energy of hundreds of keV to 3 MeV can be accelerated by 50 keV–200 keV in resonant interactions with a single VLF rising tone on a time scale of 10–100 ms., University of Minnesota. Van Allen Probes sub-award, MEXT/JSPS KAKENHI (Grant Numbers JP26287120), MEXT/JSPS KAKENHI (Grant Numbers JP15H05815), National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Prime contract NAS5-01072 for JHU/APL contract 967399)

Plasmasphere erosion carries cold dense plasma of ionospheric origin in a storm-enhanced density plume extending from dusk toward and through the noontime cusp and dayside magnetopause and back across polar latitudes in a polar tongue of ionization. We examine dusk sector (20 MLT) plasmasphere erosion during the 17 March 2013 storm (Dst ~ −130 nT) using simultaneous, magnetically aligned direct sunward ion flux observations at high altitude by Van Allen Probes RBSP-A (at ~3.0 Re) and at ionospheric heights (~840 km) by DMSP F-18. Plasma erosion occurs at both high and low altitudes where the subauroral polarization stream flow overlaps the outer plasmasphere. At ~20 UT, RBSP-A observed ~1.2E12 m−2 s−1 erosion flux, while DMSP F-18 observed ~2E13 m−2 s−1 sunward flux. We find close similarities at high and low altitudes between the erosion plume in both invariant latitude spatial extent and plasma characteristics., University of Minnesota (subaward to Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

On 17 March 2013, a large magnetic storm significantly depleted the multi-MeV radiation belt. We present multi-instrument observations from the Van Allen Probes spacecraft Radiat ion Belt Storm Probe A and Radiation Belt Storm Probe B at ~6 Re in the midnight sector magnetosphere and from ground-based ionospheric sensors during a substorm dipolarization followed by rapid reenergization of multi-MeV electrons. A 50% increase in magnetic field magnitude occurred simultaneously with dramatic increases in 100 keV electron fluxes and a 100 times increase in VLF wave intensity. The 100 keV electrons and intense VLF waves provide a seed population and energy source for subsequent radiation belt enhancements. Highly relativistic (>2 MeV) electron fluxes increased immediately at L* ~ 4.5 and 4.5 MeV flux increased >90 times at L* = 4 over 5 h. Although plasmasphere expansion brings the enhanced radiation belt multi-MeV fluxes inside the plasmasphere several hours postsubstorm, we localize their prompt reenergization during the event to regions outside the plasmasphere., University of Minnesota (Van Allen Probes subaward to Massachusetts Institute of Technology), United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Prime contract NAS5-01072), United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (grant NNX10AK99G), United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (grant NNX13AE34G), United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (grant NNX09AF51G), National Science Foundation (U.S.) (grant AGS-1203747)

We present twin Van Allen Probes spacecraft observations of the effects of a solar wind shock impacting the magnetosphere on 8 October 2013. The event provides details both of the accelerating electric fields associated with the shock and the response of inner magnetosphere electron populations across a broad range of energies. During this period, the two Van Allen Probes observed shock effects from the vantage point of the dayside magnetosphere at radial positions of L =3andL = 5, at the location where shock-induced acceleration of relativistic electrons occurs. The extended (~1 min) duration of the accelerating electric field across a broad extent of the dayside magnetosphere, coupled with energy-dependent relativistic electron gradient drift velocities, selects a preferred range of energies (3–4 MeV) for the initial enhancement. Those electrons—whose drift velocity closely matches the azimuthal phase velocity of the shock-induced pulse—stayed in the accelerating wave as it propagated tailward and received the largest increase in energy. Drift resonance with subsequent strong ULF waves further accentuated this range of electron energies. Phase space density and positional considerations permit the identification of the source population of the energized electrons. Observations detail the promptness (<20 min), energy range (1.5–4.5 MeV), energy increase (~500 keV), and spatial extent (L* ~3.5–4.0) of the enhancement of the relativistic electrons. Prompt acceleration by impulsive shock-induced electric fields and subsequent ULF wave processes therefore comprises a significant mechanism for the acceleration of highly relativistic electrons deep inside the outer radiation belt as shown clearly by this event., University of Minnesota (Van Allen Probes subaward to Massachusetts Institute of Technology), National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Prime contract NAS5-01072 for JHU/APL contract 967399)

Efficient acceleration of relativistic electrons at Landau resonance with obliquely propagating whistler‐mode chorus emissions is confirmed by theory, simulation, and observation. The acceleration is due to the perpendicular component of the wave electric field. We first review theoretical analysis of nonlinear motion of resonant electrons interacting with obliquely propagating whistler‐mode chorus. We have derived formulae of inhomogeneity factors for Landau and cyclotron resonances to analyze nonlinear wave trapping of energetic electrons by an obliquely propagating chorus element. We performed test particle simulations to confirm that nonlinear wave trapping by both Landau and cyclotron resonances can take place for a wide range of energies. For an element of large amplitude chorus waves observed by the Van Allen Probes, we have performed detailed analyses of the wave form data based on theoretical framework of nonlinear trapping of resonant electrons. We compare the efficiencies of accelerations by cyclotron and Landau resonances. We find significant acceleration can take place both in Landau and cyclotron resonances. What controls the dynamics of relativistic electrons in the Landau resonance is the perpendicular field components rather than the parallel electric field of the oblique chorus wave. In evaluating the efficiency of nonlinear trapping, we have taken into account variation of the wave trapping potential structure controlled by the inhomogeneity factors.

In the early phases of a geomagnetic storm, the low and mid-latitude ionosphere are greatly perturbed. Large SAPS electric fields map earthward from the perturbed ring current overlapping and eroding the outer plasmasphere and mid-latitude ionosphere, drawing out extended plumes of storm enhanced density (SED). We use combined satellite and ground-based observations to investigate the degree of magnetic conjugacy associated with specific features of the stormtime ionospheric perturbation. We find that many ionospheric disturbance features exhibit degrees of magnetic conjugacy and simultaneity which implicate the workings of electric fields. TEC enhancements on inner-magnetospheric field lines at the base of the SED plumes exhibit localized and longitude-dependent features which are not strictly magnetic conjugate. The SED plumes streaming away from these source regions closely follow magnetic conjugate paths. SED plumes can be used as a tracer of the location and strength of disturbance electric fields. The SED streams of cold plasma from lower latitudes enter the polar caps near noon, forming conjugate tongues of ionization over the polar regions. SED plumes exhibit close magnetic conjugacy, confirming that SED is a convection electric field dominated effect. Several conclusions are reached: 1) The SED plume occurs in magnetically-conjugate regions in both hemispheres. 2) The position of the sharp poleward edge of the SED plume is closely conjugate. 3) The SAPS electric field is observed in magnetically conjugate regions (SAPS channel). 4) The strong TEC enhancement at the base of the SED plume in the north American sector is more extensive than in its magnetic conjugate region. 5) The entry of the SED plume into the polar cap near noon, forming the polar tongue of ionization (TOI), is seen in both hemispheres in magnetically-conjugate regions.