Diffusive scattering of energetic electrons by intense whistler-mode waves in an inhomogeneous plasma

Electron resonant interactions with electromagnetic whistler-mode waves play an important role in electron flux dynamics various space plasma systems: planetary radiation belts, bow shocks, solar wind and magnetic reconnection regions. Two key wave characteristics determining the regime of wave–particle are intensity coherency. The classical quasi-linear diffusion approach describes well by incoherent low-amplitude waves, whereas nonlinear models describe phase bunching trapping highly coherent intense waves. This study is devoted to investigation but Although this characterized diffusion, we show that rates scale linearly amplitude, $D\propto B_w$ , contrast scaling $D_{QL}\propto B_w^2$ . Using observed amplitude distributions, demonstrate model significantly overestimates scattering incoherent, We discuss results obtained context simulations long-term systems.