INJECTION AND FAST RADIAL DIFFUSION OF ENERGETIC ELECTRONS INTO THE INNER MAGNETOSPHERE

The role of injection and fast radial diffusion during disturbed magnetospheric conditions in creating the energetic electron population of the inner zone is discussed. The great magnetic storm of February 1986 provides an example of these dramatic processes : energetic electrons were injected and rapidly diffused into the magnetosphere; the old inner zone electron population was depleted; and a new inner zone electron population was created. These injection and rapid diffusion processes also provide a possible explanation for the large flux of high energy (similar to several tens MeV) electrons observed in the inner zone. Such electrons cannot be explained by slow magnetic radial diffusion (D-o = 10(-13) s(-1)) because of synchrotron energy losses.4391131113