PHYSICS OF THE VAN ALLEN RADIATION BELTS

Technical Report · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1960

OSTI ID:4050478

Hock, D C

A study was made of the physical aspects of the Radiation Belts, which deals with geomagnetically trapped electrons from neutron albedo decay. The analysis assumes a decay density function which fits the results of Hess' calculations and computes the angular distribution and intensity of the source and the energy spectrum of the injected electrons. The life expectancy of the electrons is discussed relative to the manner in which the electrons lose energy: by pure energy loss, scattering without energy loss, or by scattering and energy loss. The degeneracies in the radiation belts are reviewed. A discussion is given of the energy loss of protons caused by scrattering from atomspheric constituents. Considerations for long and short range coulomb collisions are given. Approximate energy losses from coulomb collisions in ionized and neutral hydrogen, ionized oxygen, and air are presented. The breakdown of the adiabatic invariants is discussed. A curve is presenied showing the maximum allowed proton energy trappable as a function of distance from the center of the earth because of the change in the magnetic moment of the proton. A study was made of the variations and fluctuations in the belt with respect to time and space. The azimuthal drift of trapped particles and radial motion of trapped particles is discussed. A consideration of how far north trapping is effective is given. The design of an experiment to perform measurements on Van Allen radiation of value to the Argus effect is undertaken. An experiment is suggested which could show the existence of Alfven waves. In another experiment, ways to measure the source of electrons found in the inner radiation belt, which are not accounted for by thermal neutron decay theory, are discussed. A third suggested experiment would determine possible electron loss mechanics. (auth)

• Research Organization: Radiation, Inc., Melbourne, Fla.
• NSA Number: NSA-15-016268
• OSTI ID: 4050478
• Report Number(s): AFSWC-TR-60-57
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ADIABATIC INVARIANCE
AIR
ALBEDO
ALFVEN WAVES
ANGULAR DISTRIBUTION
ATMOSPHERE
BETA DECAY
DISTRIBUTION
EARTH
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRONS
ENERGY
GEOPHYSICS
HYDROGEN
INJECTION
IONIZATION
LEVELS
LIFETIME
LOSSES
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC MOMENTS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MEASURED VALUES
MOTION
NEUTRONS
OSCILLATIONS
OXYGEN
PHYSICS
PLANNING
PLASMA WAVES
PROTONS
RADIATION BELTS
REFLECTION
RUTHERFORD SCATTERING
SCATTERING
THERMAL NEUTRONS
VARIATIONS