A DIRECT APPROACH FOR DETERMINING THE PERPENDICULAR MEAN FREE PATH OF SOLAR ENERGETIC PARTICLES IN A TURBULENT AND SPATIALLY VARYING MAGNETIC FIELD

Journal Article · Sat Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 2012 · Astrophysical Journal, Supplement Series

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0067-0049/203/2/19· OSTI ID:22089760

He, H. -Q.

A direct approach for explicitly determining the perpendicular mean free path of solar energetic particles (SEPs) influenced by parallel diffusion and composite dynamical turbulence in a spatially varying magnetic field is presented. As theoretical applications of the direct approach, we investigate the inherent relations between the perpendicular mean free path and various parameters concerning physical properties of SEPs as well as those of interplanetary conditions such as the solar wind and the turbulent magnetic field. Comparisons of the perpendicular mean free paths with and without adiabatic focusing are also presented. The direct method shows encouraging agreement with spacecraft observations, suggesting it is a reliable and useful tool for use in theoretical investigations and space weather forecasting.

• OSTI ID: 22089760
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Supplement Series, Vol. 203, Issue 2; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0067-0049
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTROPHYSICS
COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
ASTROPHYSICS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DIFFUSION
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MEAN FREE PATH
SOLAR PARTICLES
SOLAR WIND
SUN
TURBULENCE