Wave-particle interactions and charged particle precipitation

Abstract

The lightning-generated electric field produces ducted whistler mode waves. These short-duration electric fields penetrate to the equator and alter the dynamics of cyclotron resonant interactions between trapped energetic electrons and whistler mode waves. The electric field also enhances pitch angle diffusion which results into enhanced precipitation of charged particles in the upper atmosphere. Numerical results for the precipitation of electrons into different regions of the magnetosphere are discussed. The enhanced precipitating fluxes produce pimples of different sizes in the ionization density at the bottom of the ionosphere which may result in various changes in radio signals propagating in the earth-ionosphere waveguide.