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Spatial dependence of the pitch-angle and associated spatial diffusion coefficients for cosmic rays in interplanetary space

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Abstract

The spatial dependence of the pitch-angle and associated spatial diffusion coefficients for cosmic ray particles in interplanetary space is calculated in the WKB approximation. The model considers only Alfven waves of solar origin to be responsible for scattering of moderate energy particles. After developing the general theory results are presented for the asymptotic case corresponding to radial distancesr greater than about 1 to 2 AU. The radial diffusion coefficientи r increases with energyE likeи r ∼E υ, wherev≈2/3. The radial mean free path turns out to increase proportional tor 3 at medium and low heliographic latitudes. This behaviour is consistent with a very small radial cosmic ray gradient and the existence of a ‘free boundary’ for particle diffusion. At equal radial distances the high latitude mean free path is not only much smaller than the one calculated at the lower latitudes but in addition increases only weakly with distance. Some conceivable dynamical implications for the outer solar system are indicated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, Max-Planck-Institut für Physik und Astrophysik, Garching, Germany

    Heinrich J. Völk, Gregor Morfill, Werner Alpers & Martin A. Lee

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  1. Heinrich J. Völk
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  2. Gregor Morfill
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  3. Werner Alpers
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  4. Martin A. Lee
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Völk, H.J., Morfill, G., Alpers, W. et al. Spatial dependence of the pitch-angle and associated spatial diffusion coefficients for cosmic rays in interplanetary space. Astrophys Space Sci 26, 403–430 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00645623

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00645623

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