Examining Chorus Wave Power and Electron Density During Multi‐MeV Electron Flux Enhancement Events

During the Van Allen Probes era, several multi‐MeV electron flux enhancements were observed. The origin of those enhancements remains an active area of research. In this study, we examined the relationship between Phase Space Density (PSD) profiles—indicative of local acceleration or radial diffusion—chorus wave power, electron density, and the occurrence of electron enhancement events to determine the role each plays in electron acceleration. Growing peaks in PSD profiles were associated with local acceleration via wave–particle interactions, whereas monotonic profiles indicated radial diffusion; both mechanisms can accelerate electrons to such high energies. For each acceleration mechanism, we compared the estimated chorus wave power and the measured electron density. Chorus wave power was estimated as a proxy using POES (Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites) observations of precipitating electron flux. The higher chorus wave power coincided with enhanced electron flux above 1 MeV, particularly for local acceleration events. On average, electron density during electron flux enhancement events decreased relative to that observed during non‐acceleration events. Finally, using the VERB code, we tested how electron density influences electron flux acceleration, using chorus wave diffusion coefficients derived with modified electron density values.