Detailed numerical investigation of 90∘ scattering of energetic particles interacting with magnetic turbulence

Journal Article · Tue Apr 15 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4873895· OSTI ID:22253010

Qin, G. ^[1]; Shalchi, A. ^[2]

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1. State Key Laboratory of Space Weather, National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190 (China)
2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 (Canada)

In the present paper, we re-visit a well-known problem in diffusion theory, namely the 90∘ scattering problem. We use a test-particle code to compute the pitch-angle Fokker-Planck coefficient at 90∘ for different values of the turbulent magnetic field strength and the magnetic rigidity. We consider a slab model and compare our numerical findings with the analytical result provided by second-order quasilinear theory. We show that the latter theory accurately describes 90∘ scattering. We also replace the slab model by a more realistic two-component model to explore the influence of the turbulence model on 90∘ scattering.

• OSTI ID: 22253010
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 21, Issue 4; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
FOKKER-PLANCK EQUATION
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC RIGIDITY
QUASILINEAR PROBLEMS
SCATTERING
TEST PARTICLES
TURBULENCE