Authors: Hanqing Ma(University of Maryland), James Drake (University of Maryland), Marc Swisdak (University of Maryland)

We conduct two-dimensional particle in cell simulations to investigate the scattering of electron heat flux by self-generated oblique electromagnetic waves. The heat flux is modeled as a bi kappa distribution with a  temperature anisotropy maintained by continuous injection at the boundaries. The anisotropic distribution excites oblique whistler waves and filamentary like Weibel instabilities. Electron velocity distributions taken after the system has reached a steady state show that these instabilities inhibit the heat flux and drive the total distributions towards isotropy. Electron trajectories in velocity space show a circular like diffusion along constant energy surfaces in the wave frame. The key parameter controlling the scattering rate is the drift speed of the heat flux  compared with the electron Alfven speed  with higher drift speeds producing stronger fluctuations and a more significant reduction of the heat flux. Reducing the density of the electrons carrying the heat flux by 50% does not significantly affect the scattering rate. A scaling law for the electron scattering rate versus  is deduced from the simulations. The implications of these results for understanding energetic electron transport during solar flare energy release are discussed.