Effects of the IMF and substorms on the rapid enhancement of relativistic electrons in the outer radiation belt during storm recovery phase

It is often the case that the flux of the relativistic electrons in the outer radiation belt decreases substantially once the major magnetic storm takes place. After the disappearance of the relativistic electrons which can last as much as one day, an increase in the flux occurs, often to levels that exceed the pre-storm level. We have investigated a correlation of the increment of the relativistic electron flux at geosynchronous orbit with the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) properties as well as the magnetic disturbance signature during the magnetic storms. Results demonstrate that a large flux enhancement occurs when the IMF is southward during the storm recovery phase. (C) 2000 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.