High-energy proton radiation belt

Technical Report · Mon Jan 22 04:00:00 EST 1973

OSTI ID:4307071

White, R S

The experiments and theories to explain the high-energy protons trapped in the Earth's radiation belt are reviewed. The theory of cosmic-ray albedo neutron decay injection of protons into the radiation belt is discussed. Radial diffusion and change in the Earth's dipole moment are included along with losses of protons by ionization and nuclear collision. It is found that the measured albedo neutron escape current is sufficient to supply trapped protons above 30 MeV. The theoretical calculations of the trapped protons are in agreement with the measurements for L> or = 1.7 both on and off the equator. While it appears that diffusion of solar-wind protons is responsible for most of the portons less than 30 MeV, additional measurements of the angular distributions and fluxes of low-energy neutrons are required to determine the contribution of the cosmic-ray albedo neutron decay source. For L < or = 1.7 additional trapped proton differential energy measurements should be made before the theory can be adequately tested. It appears that an additional loss mechanism such as pitch angle scattering may be required. (auth)

• Research Organization: California Univ., Riverside (USA)
• NSA Number: NSA-29-025105
• OSTI ID: 4307071
• Report Number(s): AD--763433; IGPP-UCR--73-4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*NEUTRONS-- SECONDARY COSMIC RADIATION
*RADIATION BELTS-- PROTONS
*SECONDARY COSMIC RADIATION-- ALBEDO
DECAY
FLUX DENSITY
MEV RANGE 01-10
MEV RANGE 10-100
N56100 --Physics (Astrophysics &amp; Cosmology)--Cosmic Radiation
N58300* --Physics (Atmospheric)--Magnetospheric Phenomena
SOLAR WIND