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Abstract:
Under the quasilinear theory of diffusion there is a maximum rate of loss of radiation belt electrons to the atmosphere, given by the level of pitch angle diffusion necessary to move electrons into the loss cone faster than they are lost, this is known as strong diffusion. The effects of strong diffusion have primarily been considered in this context, as a loss process. The wave power necessary to produce strong diffusion conditions must also produce rapid diffusion in energy. We demonstrate the existence of strong diffusion conditions within the magnetosphere, and use a two-dimensional diffusion model based on a Fokker-Planck equation to simulate electron diffusion in pitch angle and energy and losses to the atmosphere. We investigate the time taken to reach a steady state, and the effects on high energy particle fluxes. Our simulations show that scaling up wave power to produce pitch angle diffusion close to the strong diffusion limit produces rapid acceleration of electrons, sufficient to outweigh the additional losses due to strong diffusion.
