Simulations of electron zebra stripes in the inner radiation belt using a composite empirical electric field model

Abstract

The phenomenon termed “zebra stripes” manifests as regular patterns in the energy-space (L shell) spectrum of energetic electrons (ranging from tens to hundreds keV) within the inner radiation belt. These structures exhibit drift-periodic behavior and commonly arise from large-scale electric field perturbations near the substorm onsets. In this study, we introduce a composite electric field model and replicate the formation, structure, and evolution of zebra stripes using a bounce-averaged test particle code under this electric field model. High-resolution measurements of energetic electrons obtained from the Van Allen Probes and the recently launched Macao Science Satellites-1 are used as initial conditions and served to validate our test particle simulations. Comparative analyses between observed data and simulations demonstrate our test particle method’s efficacy in capturing zebra stripes’ general behavior. Moreover, the composite model proves capable of reproducing realistic variations in the electric field within the inner radiation belt to a certain extent. Nevertheless, subtle differences emerge in the flux strength and the positions of stripes. These disparities primarily stem from limitations inherent in the electric field model and the initial conditions of the simulation. Acknowledging that the model represents an average case, it is conceivable that real-world scenarios may deviate from the average, thereby introducing variations in the observed phenomena.