DOI: 10.25346/s6/fhklvz
title: Replication Data for: Electron Acceleration and Zebra Stripe Formation in Saturn's Radiation Belts

description: Dataset Description This dataset accompanies the paper Electron Acceleration and Zebra Stripe Formation in Saturn's Radiation Belts by Drozdov et al. It contains data from high-resolution simulations investigating electron dynamics in Saturn's radiation belts. The dataset includes processed figures, data files, and videos, facilitating further analysis and visualization of electron behavior in different simulation configurations. Simulation Descriptions Here is the association of simulation ID and simulation number. The ID is used in the preparation of the research. In the paper, the simulations are organized by numbers. However, file names will not change. Simulation #1 (02f) – 3D simulation with convection terms and a persistent VS electric field but without radial diffusion (Dll). Simulation #2 (02a) – Based on Simulation #1, but includes radial diffusion (Dll). Simulation #3 (02i) – Extends Simulation #2 by incorporating collisional energy loss approximations. Simulation #4 (02e) – Similar to Simulation #2 but with the VS electric field disabled after 3 days, mimicking an electric pulse and a time-dependent electric field condition. Simulation #5 (05a) – 4D simulation including radial diffusion (Dll) and additional local diffusion terms (Dxx) representing wave-particle interactions due to hiss and chorus waves. Simulation #6 (05e) – Builds on Simulation #5 but disables the VS electric field after 3 days mimicking a time-dependent electric field configuration. Data Structure The dataset is organized into the following directories: Data (data/): Contains MATLAB .mat files with numerical results from the simulations, including electron spectra, energy profiles, and simulation parameters. Figures (figures/): Includes high-resolution (600 dpi) images. Videos (videos/): Provides visualizations of electron spectrum evolution over time for each of the simulations. MATLAB Data Files (.mat) The data files are in MATLAB format (.mat) but can be accessed using Python with the scipy.io module: from scipy.io import loadmat data = loadmat('path_to_file.mat') print(data.keys()) Each .mat file contains structured arrays with variables related to figures and videos presented in the paper. The .mat files follow a structured naming convention: tau_2i.mat – Contains time-dependent lifetime approximations due to collisional (ionization) energy loss for different simulations. DLL.mat – Contains radial diffusion coefficient data derived from Cassini measurements. spectra_XX.mat – Represents electron flux data for various simulations and time steps. en_profile_LX_XX.mat – Electron energy profiles for specific L-shell values (e.g., L5, L8). spectra_XX_YY.mat – Represents electron flux data for various simulations XX and time steps and different Phi YY. V_08a.mat – Contains velocity components from simulations. E_08a.mat – Contains electric field components. E_VS_08b.mat – Contains VS electric field components. spectra_video_XX.mat – Data used to generate the video visualizations of electron spectra evolution. Figures (figures/ Directory) Figure 1 (dll_tau.png) – Radial diffusion coefficient derived from Cassini measurements and collisional (ionization) energy loss approximation. Figure 2 (spectra_1.png) – Electron flux evolution over time, displaying results from different 3D simulations. Figure 3 (spectra_1_diff.png) – Logarithmic electron flux differences highlighting the influence of diffusion and ionization loss. Figure 4 (spectra_2.png) – Electron flux for different simulation conditions including wave-particle interactions. Figure 5 (en_profiles.png) – Evolution of electron flux spectrum over time at selected L-shells. Figure S1 (E.png) – Electric field components, including azimuthal and radial VS electric fields and total radial electric field. Figure S2 (V.png) – Bounce-averaged drift velocities, decomposed into total, E × B drift, and gradient-curvature drift components. Figure S3 (density.png) – Neutral torus density model, defining dominant hydrogen and oxygen density regions. Figure S4 (spectra_1_90.png) – Same as Figure 2 but at Phi=90. Figure S5 (spectra_1_180.png) – Same as Figure 2 but at Phi=180. Figure S6 (spectra_1_270.png) – Same as Figure 2 but at Phi=270. Figure S7 (spectra_2_90.png) – Same as Figure 4 but at Phi=90. Figure S8 (spectra_2_180.png) – Same as Figure 4 but at Phi=180. Figure S9 (spectra_2_270.png) – Same as Figure 4 but at Phi=270. Videos (videos/ Directory) ms01_spectrum_02f.mp4 – Simulation #1 (02f): 3D high-resolution (no radial diffusion Dll). ms02_spectrum_02a.mp4 – Simulation #2 (02a): 3D high-resolution including Dll. ms03_spectrum_02i.mp4 – Simulation #3 (02i): Based on #2, incorporating collisional energy loss approximations. ms04_spectrum_02e.mp4 – Simulation #4 (02e): Based on #2, VS turned off after 3 days. ms05_spectrum_05a.mp4 – Simulation #5 (05a): High-resolution 4D simulation with Dll and Dxx. ms06_spectrum_05e.mp4 – Simulation #6 (05e): Similar to #5 but with VS turned off after 3 days.