Pitch angle diffusion and precipitation of energetic electrons by whistler- mode waves at low latitudes

61-65Using the theoretical concept of Johnstone et al. [J Geophys Res (USA), 98(1993)5959) that electrons having energy well below the characteristic energy do participate in pitch angle diffusion driven by whistler-mode waves, an attempt has been made to study the pitch angle diffusion and precipitation of energetic electrons at low latitudes. The results show that the theory of Johnstone et. al. is valid at low latitudes, whereas the gyro -resonance (n = -1) interaction mechanism is not capable of explaining the pitch angle diffusion and precipitation of nonrelativistic low energy (less than ~10 keV) electrons there. On the other hand, Landau resonance (n=0) interaction mechanism may satisfactorily explain this phenomenon, particularly, during disturbed periods