This grant will continue an investigation of the interaction between waves and particles in magnetospheric plasmas with emphasis on the problem of oblique wave growth and the associated rate of particle scattering. Quantitative models will also be developed for the effect of such scattering on the average rate of loss of geomagnetically-trapped particles (the Van Allen radiation belts) the concomitant energy deposition into a planetary ionosphere, and the anticipated changes in the height-profile of ionospheric conductivity and its effect on the bulk transport properties of magnetospheric plasma. This work will be important to an understanding of the life cycle of the Van Allen radiation belts. It is thought that the plasma waves to be studied here are a major factor in controlling the Van Allen radiation belt populations.
