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Ramaty, R.

Publications and source records attributed to Ramaty, R..

At least 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

Diffuse galactic gamma ray lines

The origin and observability were studied of diffuse gamma ray line emission from the galaxy. It was found that such lines could be formed by nuclear excitation interactions of low energy cosmic rays with both interstellar gas and dust grains. The gamma ray emission lines from deexcitation of grain nuclei are sharp with Doppler widths of the order of 10 kev or less; the lines from gas nuclei are also relatively sharp with widths of the order of 100 kev for the most intense line; and the lines from cosmic ray nuclei are broad with widths of the order of several hundred kev. A detailed evaluation is presented of the production rate of the 4.44 Mev line for a variety of assumed cosmic ray spectra. Results are compared with reported galactic gamma ray line intensities and it is concluded that the measurements are consistent with a low energy cosmic ray density which increases toward the galactic center in proportion to the molecular gas density.

Lingenfelter, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Gamma-ray and microwave evidence for two phases of acceleration in solar flares

Relativistic electrons in large solar flares produce gamma ray continuum by bremsstrahlung and microwave emission by gyrosynchrotron radiation. Using observations of the 1972, August 4 flare, the electron spectrum and the physical properties of the common emitting region of these radiations were evaluated. Information was also obtained on energetic protons in this flare by using gamma ray lines. From the electron spectrum, the proton-to-electron ratio, and the time dependences of the microwave emission, the 2.2 MeV line and the gamma ray continuum, it was concluded that in large solar flares relativistic electrons and energetic nuclei are accelerated by a mechanism which is different from the mechanism which accelerates approximately less than 100 keV electrons in flares.

Bai, T.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Solar gamma-ray lines as probes of accelerated particle directionalities in flares

Anisotropies of charged particles accelerated in solar flares can be studied by observing Doppler shifts of selected gamma-ray lines. The spectral shape of the 6.1-MeV line of O-16 is calculated. If the accelerated particles are isotropic, the line remains centered at an emitting-nucleus rest-frame energy of 6129.4 keV, and its width (FWHM) is about 100 keV. However, for particle anisotropies that may be produced in solar flares, the line is shifted to lower energies by about 30 to 40 keV.

Ramaty, R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Formation of the 0.511.-MeV line in solar flares

The gamma-ray line produced at 0.51-MeV was studied and is shown to be the result of either of free annihilation of positrons with electrons or of the decay of positronium by 2-photon emission. Positron annihilation from the bound state of positronium may also proceed by 3-photon emission, resulting in a continuum with energies up to 0.51-MeV. Accurate calculations of the rates of free annihilation and positronium formation in a solar-flare plasma are presented. Estimates of the positronium-formulation rates by charge exchange and the rates of dissociation and quenching are also considered. The temperature and density dependence of the ratio of 3-photon to 2-photon emission was obtained. It is shown that when the ratio of free electrons to neutral atoms in the plasma is approximately unity or greater, the Doppler width of the 0.51-MeV line is a function of the temperature of the annihilation region. For the small ion densities characteristics of the photosphere, the width is predominantly a function of the density.

Crannell, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Electrons in a closed galaxy model of cosmic rays

The consistency of positrons and electrons was studied using a propagation model in which the cosmic rays are stopped by nuclear collisions or energy losses before they can escape from the galaxy (the closed-galaxy model). The fact that no inconsistency was found between the predictions and the data implies that the protons which produce the positrons by nuclear reactions could have their origin in a large number of distant sources, as opposed to the heavier nuclei which in this model come from a more limited set of sources. The closed-galaxy model predicts steep electron and positron spectra at high energies. None of these are inconsistent with present measurements; but future measurements of the spectrum of high-energy positrons could provide a definite test for the model. The closed-galaxy model also predicts that the interstellar electron intensity below a few GeV is larger than that implied by other models. The consequence of this result is that electron bremsstrahlung is responsible for about 50% of the galactic gamma-ray emission at photon energies greater than 100 MeV.

Ramaty, R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Time-dependent 2.2-MeV and 0.5-MeV lines from solar flares

The time dependences of the 2.2- and 0.51-MeV gamma-ray lines from solar flares are calculated, and the results are compared with observations of the 1972 August 4 and 7 flares. The time lag between the nuclear reactions and the formation of these two lines is caused by capture of the neutrons and subsequent deceleration of the positrons and decay of the radioactive nuclei. Our main results are that the calculation is consistent with the observed rise of the 2.2-MeV line on August 4, and it does not require different time dependences for the accelerated protons and high-energy electrons in the flare region. The above lags can explain the delayed gamma-ray emission observed on August 7. Positrons of energies greater than about 10 MeV could be detected in interplanetary space following large solar flares.

Wang, H. T.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Solar gamma rays

Calculations are presented for the production of gamma-ray lines and continuum emission in solar flares. The interaction models used in the calculations are described, neutron-producing reactions are identified, and formation of the 2.2-MeV line is analyzed. The most important prompt gamma-ray lines that can be observed during solar flares are determined, and the production of gamma-ray continuum emission by electron-proton bremsstrahlung is examined. The results are compared with data on the solar flare of August 4, 1972, to deduce the number and spectrum of accelerated particles at the sun as well as the energy deposited by them in the solar atmosphere. Problems concerning the formation of the 0.51-MeV line by positron annihilation are investigated, and estimates are made for the high-energy gamma-ray and neutron fluxes (at earth) produced by the August 4 flare. The main findings for that flare are: (1) the strongest line, at 2.2 MeV, was due to neutron capture by protons in the photosphere; (2) the intensity of that line depended on the photospheric He-3 abundance; (3) the neutrons were produced mainly in proton-alpha reactions by accelerated particles with energies in excess of 30 MeV/nucleon; and (4) the strongest prompt lines were due to deexcitation of excited states in C-12, O-16, and N-15.

Ramaty, R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Positron annihilation in solar flares

The gamma ray line at 0.51 MeV originates from the annihilation of positrons. When a fraction of the positrons annihilate from bound states of positronium, the 0.51-MeV line is accompanied by a continuum of 3-gamma annihilation radiation at energies up to 0.51 MeV. Accurate calculations of the rates of free annihilation and positronium formation in a solar flare plasma are presented and positronium formation by charge exchange is discussed. The observability of the 3-gamma annihilation is increased by the inherent delay in the production and slowing down time of the positrons. It was concluded that such radiation could be detected at times late in solar gamma ray events when the continuum and prompt line emissions have essentially disappeared.

Crannell, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The origin and implications of gamma rays from solar flares

Solar flares studied in the gamma ray region provide essential information on accelerated nuclei that can be obtained in no other way. A multitude of physical processes, such as particle acceleration, nuclear reactions, positron and neutron physics, and kinematical line broadening, come into consideration at gamma ray energies. Gamma ray observations are complementary to hard X ray observations, since both provide information on accelerated particles. It appears that only in the gamma ray region do these particles produce distinct spectral lines.

Ramaty, R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Solar gamma-ray lines as probes of accelerated particle directionalities in flares

Anisotropies of charged particles accelerated in solar flares were studied by observing Doppler shifts of selected gamma-ray lines. The spectral shape was calculated of the 6.1-MeV line of O-16. If the accelerated particles are isotropic, the line remains centered at e sub 0 = 6129.4 keV, and its width (FWHM) is about 100 keV. For particle anisotropies that may be produced in solar flares, the line is shifted to lower energies by about 30 to 40 keV.

Ramaty, R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Time-dependent 2.2 MeV and 0.5 MeV lines from solar flares

The time dependences of the 2.2 MeV and 0.51 MeV gamma ray lines from solar flares are calculated and the results are compared with observations of the 1972, August 4 and 7 flares. Time lag between the nuclear reactions and the formation of these two lines are caused, respectively, by capture of the neutrons, and by deceleration of the positrons and decay of the radioactive nuclei. Results show that the calculation is consistent with the observed rise of the 2.2 MeV line on August 4, and it does not require different time dependences for the accelerated protons and electrons in the flare region. The above lags can explain the delayed gamma ray emission observed on August 7. Positrons of energies greater than about 10 MeV could be detected in interplanetary space following large solar flares.

Wang, H. T.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Gamma-ray lines from solar flares

The theory of gamma-ray line production in solar flares is treated in detail. The strongest line, both predicted theoretically and detected observationally at 2.2 MeV, is due to neutron capture by protons in the photosphere. The neutrons are produced in nuclear reactions of flare-accelerated particles which also produce positrons and prompt nuclear gamma rays. From the comparison of the observed and calculated intensities of the lines at 4.4 or 6.1 MeV to that of the 2.2-MeV line, it is possible to deduce the spectrum of accelerated nuclei in the flare region; and from the absolute intensities of these lines, it is possible to obtain the total number of accelerated nuclei at the sun. The study of the 2.2-MeV line also gives information on the amount of He-3 in the photosphere. The study of the line at 0.51 MeV resulting from positron annihilation complements the data obtained from the other lines. In addition, it gives information on the temperature and density in the annihilation region and on the anisotropy of the accelerated electron beam which produces continuum gamma rays at energies greater than about 1 MeV.

Ramaty, R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Time dependences of the 0.51 and 2.2 MeV lines in solar flares

The time dependence of the 0.51 MeV line in solar flares is determined by the following factors: variation with time of the rate of nuclear reactions which produce the positron emitters; mean lives of the positron emitters; slowing-down of the positrons which depends on the ambient density and magnetic field; and annihilation or positronium formation times of the positrons with free or bound electrons. The discussion is limited to the observed intensity-time profile of a 0.35-8 MeV gamma-ray emission and of a 0.51-MeV line calculated for three different ambient densities in the annihilation region. Major conclusions are that (1) MeV electrons and protons of at least 30 MeV/nuc have similar time dependences and hence a common origin in the flare region, which support a two-phase acceleration model in solar flares; and (2) the delayed character of the 0.51-MeV emission is clearly defined, where at a time when the rate of nuclear reactions is zero, there still is considerable 0.51-MeV emission.

Ramaty, R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Positron annihilation in solar flares

The gamma-ray line at 0.51 MeV originates from the annihilation of positrons. When a fraction of the positrons annihilate from bound states of positronium, the 0.51 MeV line is accompanied by a continuum of 3-gamma annihilation radiation at energies up to 0.51 MeV. We present accurate calculations of the rates of free annihilation and positronium formation in a solar flare plasma, and we also discuss positronium formation by charge exchange. The observability of the 3-gamma annihilation is increased by the inherent delay in the production and slowing down time of the positrons. We conclude that such radiation could be detected at times late in solar gamma-ray events when the continuum and prompt line emissions have essentially disappeared.

Crannell, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Solar gamma rays

The theory of gamma ray production in solar flares is treated in detail. Both lines and continuum are produced. Results show that the strongest line predicted at 2.225 MeV with a width of less than 100 eV and detected at 2.24 + or - 2.02 MeV, is due to neutron capture by protons in the photosphere. Its intensity is dependent on the photospheric He-3 abundance. The neutrons are produced in nuclear reactions of flare accelerated particles which also produce positrons and prompt nuclear deexcitation lines. The strongest prompt lines are at 4.43 MeV from c-12 and at approximately 6.2 from 0-16 and N-15. The gamma ray continuum, produced by electron bremsstrahlung, allows the determination of the spectrum and number of accelerated electrons in the MeV region. From the comparison of the line and continuum intensities a proton-to-electron ratio of about 10 to 100 at the same energy for the 1972, August 4 flare. For the same flare the protons above 2.5 MeV which are responsible for the gamma ray emission produce a few percent of the heat generated by the electrons which make the hard X rays above 20 keV.

Ramaty, R.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A comment on gamma ray lines from He-4

It is pointed out that excited states of He-4 cannot produce gamma ray line emission of astrophysical significance, contrary to a recent suggestion of Reina et al. (1974). The only possible gamma-ray lines in He-4 are above 25 MeV, but their excitation cross sections appear to be so small that they are probably of little astrophysical significance.

Kozlovsky, B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Cosmic rays - Astronomy with energetic particles

All nuclei in the periodic table of the elements, as well as electrons and positrons, are present in the stream of cosmic-ray particles. The cosmic-ray particles constitute the only sample of matter from outside the solar system which reaches the earth. Some of the most accurate knowledge of the extrasolar-element abundance distribution is based on the study of these particles. Observational data concerning the cosmic rays are discussed along with cosmic-ray sources, questions of particle interactions and propagation, the electron spectrum, and the significance of the positron component. The directions of cosmic ray research in the immediate future are also considered, giving attention to some fundamental questions which have not yet been answered.

Meyer, P.↗