Physical mechanisms of the inner Van Allen belt

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Fundam. Cosmic Phys.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7356364

Walt, M ^[1]; Farley, T A

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1. Lockheed Missiles and Space Co., Inc., Palo Alto, CA

This paper attempts to explain how each of the physical processes of the inner Van Allen belt affects the particle distribution function, and to show how it is incorporated into an equation containing terms representing the other known mechanisms. The subject is discussed under the following topics: trapped particle motion in the Earth's magnetic field, treatment of nonadiabatic effects, effects of various physical processes on trapped particle distribution functions (collisions of trapped electrons with atmospheric constituents, albedo neutrons, solar neutrons, nuclear reactions, secular variation of geomagnetic field, radial diffusion, interactions between particles and waves, reversible adiabatic variations), and application of theoretical formulation to inner radiation belt observations (electrons in the inner zone, protons in the inner zone). 27 figures, 1 table. (RWR)

• OSTI ID: 7356364
• Journal Information: Fundam. Cosmic Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Fundam. Cosmic Phys.; (United States) Vol. 2:1; ISSN FNCPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BARYONS
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
INTERACTIONS
KINETICS
LEPTONS
MOTION
NUCLEONS
PARTICLE KINEMATICS
PROTONS
RADIATION BELTS
REVIEWS