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Hydromagnetic waves and cosmic ray diffusion theory

Pitch angle diffusion of cosmic rays in hydromagnetic wave fields is considered strictly within the quasilinear approximation. It is shown that the popular assumption of an isotropic power spectrum tensor of magnetic fluctuations requires in this case equal forms and magnitudes of Alfven and magnetosonic wave spectra - a situation which is generally unlikely. The relative contributions to the pitch angle diffusion coefficient from the cyclotron resonances and Landau resonance due to the different types of waves are evaluated for a typical situation in the solar wind. Since in this approximation also the Landau resonance does not lead to particle reflections a proper consideration of the nonlinear particle orbits is indeed necessary to overcome the well known difficulties of quasilinear scattering theory for cosmic rays near 90 degrees pitch angle.

Lee, M. A.

Partially averaged field approach to cosmic ray diffusion

A new nonlinear technique is used to derive the kinetic equation for particles interacting with turbulent fluctuations. Difficulties associated with quasi-linear theory are avoided. The new method evaluates the effects of the fluctuations along particle orbits which themselves include the effects of a statistically averaged subset of the possible configuration of the turbulence. As an illustration, the pitch-angle diffusion coefficient is calculated for particles interacting with 'slab model' magnetic turbulence, i.e., magnetic fluctuations linearly polarized transverse to a mean magnetic field. The pitch-angle diffusion coefficient is determined in the vicinity of 90-deg pitch angles where quasi-linear theory breaks down. The spatial diffusion coefficient parallel to a mean magnetic field is evaluated by use of the calculated pitch-angle diffusion coefficient. It is suggested that the partially averaged field method is not limited to small amplitude fluctuating fields and hence is not a perturbation theory.

Jones, F. C.

Periodic Excitation for Jet Vectoring and Enhanced Spreading

The effects of periodic excitation on the evolution of a turbulent jet were studied experimentally. A short, wide-angle diffuser was attached to the jet exit and excitation was introduced at the junction between the jet exit and the diffuser inlet. The introduction of high amplitude periodic excitation at the jet exit enhances the mixing and promotes attachment of the jet shear-layer to the diffuser wall. Vectoring is achieved by applying the excitation over a fraction of the circumference of the circular jet, enhancing its spreading rate on the excited side and its tendency to reattach to that side. Static deflection studies demonstrate that the presence of the wide-angle diffuser increases the effectiveness of the added periodic momentum due to a favorable interaction between the excitation, the jet shear-layer and the diffuser wall. This point was further demonstrated by the evolution of a wave packet that was excited in the jet shear-layer. Strong amplification of the wave packet was measured with a diffuser attached to the jet exit. The turbulent jet responds quickly (10-20 msec) to step changes in the level of the excitation input. The response scales with the jet exit velocity and is independent of the Reynolds number. Jet deflection angles were found to be highly sensitive to the relative direction between the excitation and the jet flow and less sensitive to the excitation frequency. The higher jet deflection angles were obtained for a diffuser length of about two diameters and for diffusers with half-angles greater than 15 degrees.

Pack, LaTunia G.

Trapped particles and waves, and what can be learned from multisatellite experiments

Calculations concerning the pitch-angle diffusion resulting from resonant wave-particle interactions can lead to definitive predictions of equatorial pitch-angle distributions and rates of particle loss as a function of particle energy and L-value. Thus, given simultaneous high-altitude measurements of pitch-angle distributions and low-altitude measurements of precipitating fluxes as a function of energy and L, the importance of proposed wave-particle interactions can be verified or discarded. Since many wave-particle phenomena occur over large spatial and temporal scales, exact simultaneity in longitude and time is not necessary. Simultaneous low and high altitude (preferably nearly equatorial) particle measurements could thus greatly increase our understanding of trapped particles and their effects on the ionosphere. Furthermore, given a verified pitch-angle diffusion mechanism and simultaneous low- and high-altitude measurements, accurate lowto high-altitude mappings of field lines and magnetospheric boundaries (such as the plasmapause) could be obtained.

Lyons, L. R.

Ion cyclotron waves in the Io plasma torus - Polarization reversal of whistler mode noise

Because of the presence of multiple ion species in the Io plasma torus, whistler mode noise can be converted to ion cyclotron waves via a polarization reversal process at the local crossover frequency. Using whistler mode intensity measurements in the Jovian magnetosphere from Voyager 1, the pitch-angle diffusion rates that would occur if the noise is converted to ion cyclotron waves is estimated. Typical pitch-angle diffusion coefficients range from 0.000001/sec for protons resonating near the equator to 0.0001/sec for 10-keV O(+) ions resonating at high latitudes. Although complete bounce averaged diffusion coefficients have not yet been computed, preliminary estimates indicate that the energetic ion precipitation caused by these waves may be able to account for the EUV auroral emissions at the foot of the torus field lines.

Gurnett, D. A.

Diffuse Auroral Intensities Produced By Whistler Mode and Electron Cyclotron Harmonic Waves

Whistler mode waves and ECH waves as observed by the THEMIS-D and THEMIS-E satellites have been analyzed. It is observed that ECH waves are very weak for pitch-angle diffusion whereas whistler mode waves are more efficient. Bounce-averaged pitch-angle diffusion rates at the edge of atmospheric loss-cone have been calculated for both waves. Further, these are used to obtain electron precipitation flux inside the loss-cone. The electron flux at the edge of the loss-cone is represented by the kappa distribution. Numerical calculation of precipitation flux is performed by varying the fitting parameters (which determine the shape of electron precipitation flux) appearing in the kappa distribution. Precipitation flux is used to obtain volume excitation rates and height-integrated volume excitation rates for the seven excitation states. Calculations have been performed using two standard atmosphere models corresponding to mean and high solar and geomagnetic activities. It has been observed from studies that the excitation rates produced by the ECH wave are several orders of magnitude smaller than the rates produced by whistler mode waves. We show that the scattering efficiency of whistler Mode is higher than that of ECH waves. The oblique whistler mode waves allow efficient scattering of electrons in diffuse aurora. Outcomes are discussed.

Arvind K. Tripathi

The design and preliminary calibration of a boundary-layer flow channel

Design procedures for a new low-speed boundary-layer research channel are described. The channel is an open-circuit wind tunnel for the study of two-dimensional boundary layers under controlled pressure gradients, and follows design guidelines from published literature on blower tunnels with wide-angle diffusers. The contraction was arranged in a modular fashion permitting two different test sections of square and high-aspect-ratio cross section. A radical type of wide-angle diffuser was employed, and a stream-tube computer code (GE Streamtube Curvature Code) was used to check the contraction designs. The alternate test sections have the following specifications: 2- by 2-foot cross section with a fixed velocity of 23 ft/sec, and a boundary-layer section with a 0.5- by 2-foot cross section at a fixed velocity of approximately 89 ft/sec. Experimental techniques and data are described for the evaluation of diffuser effectiveness, boundary-layer channel characteristics, and overall performance of the facility.

Rao, Dhanvada M.

Ring current loss mechanisms and composition as inferred from equatorial pitch angle distributions observed during a storm recovery phase

Explorer 45 measurements of pitch angle distributions (PAD's) of ring current ions were examined for evidence of charge exchange or pitch-angle diffusion as loss mechanisms for the ring current during a storm recovery phase. The observed rounding of the PAD's above a minimum parallel energy is seen as resulting from pitch angle diffusion driven by resonant interactions with ion cyclotron waves. Calculations of growth rates using observed ion fluxes and PAD's have shown that ion cyclotron waves can be significantly amplified by the ring current plasma. However, wave growth off the equator must be taken into account in order to understand the time evolution of the observed PAD's. Isotropic distributions at lower energies remain isotropic at L-values between 3 and 4 despite the presence of charge exchange losses. An explanation for this apparent inconsistency may be that ring current is dominated by some ion species other than protons during recovery phase.

Lyons, L. R.

Cosmic ray propagation in interplanetary space

The validity of the test-particle picture, the approximation of static fields, and the spatial-diffusion approximation are discussed in a general way before specific technical assumptions are introduced. It is argued that the spatial-diffusion equation for the intensity per unit energy has a much wider range of applicability than the kinetic (Fokker-Planck) equation it is derived from. This gives strong weight to the phenomenological propagation theory. The general success (and possible failure at small energies) of the phenomenological theory for the modulation of galactic cosmic rays and solar events is described. Apparent effects such as the 'free boundary' are given disproportionate weight since they establish the connection with the detailed plasma physics of the solar wind. Greatest attention is paid to the pitch-angle diffusion theory. A general theory is presented which removes the well-known secularities of the quasi-linear approximation. The possible breakdown of any pitch-angle diffusion theory at very small energies is perhaps connected with the observed 'turn up' of the spectrum at low energies. A first attempt to derive the spatial dependence of the diffusion coefficient in the solar cavity, using such a divergence free scattering theory, is described and compared with recent observations out to 5 AU.

Voelk, H. J.

Effect of EMIC Wave Normal Angle Distribution on Relativistic Electron Scattering

The flux level of outer-zone relativistic electrons (above 1 MeV) is extremely variable during geomagnetic storms, and controlled by a competition between acceleration and loss. Precipitation of these electrons due to resonant pitch-angle scattering by electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves is considered one of the major loss mechanisms. This mechanism was suggested in early theoretical studies more than three decades ago. However, direct experimental evidence of the wave role in relativistic electrons precipitation is difficult to obtain because of lack of concurrent measurements of precipitating electrons at low altitudes and the waves in a magnetically conjugate equatorial region. Recently, the data from balloon-borne X-ray instruments provided indirect but strong evidence on an efficiency of the EMIC wave induced loss for the outer-zone relativistic electrons. These observations stimulated theoretical studies that, particularly, demonstrated that EMIC wave induced pitch-angle diffusion of MeV electrons can operate in the strong diffusion limit and this mechanism can compete with relativistic electron depletion caused by the Dst effect during the initial and main phases of storm. Although an effectiveness of relativistic electron scattering by EMIC waves depends strongly on the wave spectral properties, the most favorable assumptions regarding wave characteristics has been made in all previous theoretical studies. Particularly, only quasi field-aligned EMIC waves have been considered as a driver for relativistic electron loss. At the same time, there is growing experimental and theoretical evidence that these waves can be highly oblique; EMIC wave energy can occupy not only the region of generation, i.e. the region of small wave normal angles, but also the entire wave normal angle region, and even only the region near 90 degrees. The latter can dramatically change he effectiveness of relativistic electron scattering by EMIC waves. In the present study, we calculate the pitch-angle diffusion coefficients using the typical wave normal distributions obtained from our self-consistent ring current-EMIC wave model, and try to quantify the effect of EMIC wave normal angle characteristics on relativistic electron scattering.

Gamayunov, K. V.

Magnetic pumping of particles in the outer Jovian magnetosphere

The mechanism of magnetic pumping consists of two processes, the adiabatic motion of charged particles in a time varying magnetic field and their pitch-angle diffusion. The result is a systematic increase in the energy of charged particles trapped in mirror (and particularly, magnetospheric) magnetic fields. A numerical model of the mechanism is constructed, compared with analytic theory where possible, and, through elementary exercises, is used to predict the consequences of the process for cases that are not tractable by analytical means. For energy dependent pitch angle diffusion rates, characteristic 'two temperature' distributions are produced. Application of the model to the outer Jovian magnetosphere shows that beyond 20 Jupiter radii in the outer magnetosphere, particles may be magnetically pumped to energies of the order of 1 - 2 MeV. Two temperature distribution functions with "break points" at 1 - 4 KeV for electrons and 8 - 35 KeV for ions are predicted.

Borovsky, J. E.

Magnetic pumping of particles in the outer Jovian magnetosphere

The mechanism of magnetic pumping consists of two processes, the adiabatic motion of charged particles in a time-varying magnetic field and their pitch angle diffusion. The result is a systematic increase in the energy of charged particles trapped in mirror (and particularly, magnetospheric) magnetic fields. A numerical model of the mechanism is constructed, compared with analytic theory where possible, and, is used to predict the consequences of the process for cases that are not tractable by analytical means. The model is applied to the outer Jovian magnetosphere for two purposes; to find magnetospheric regions in which the mechanism may energize trapped particles, and to generate distribution functions involving pitch angle diffusion caused by wave-particle interactions. Beyond 20 Jupiter radii in the outer magnetosphere particles may be magnetically pumped to energies of the order of 1-2 MeV and two-temperature distribution functions with 'break points' at 1-4 keV for electrons and 8-35 keV for ions are predicted.

Borovsky, J. E.

The Development of an 8-inch by 8-inch Slotted Tunnel for Mach Numbers up to 1.28

An 8-inch by 8-inch transonic tunnel model with test section slotted on two opposite walls was constructed in which particular emphasis -was given to the development of slot geometry, slot-flow reentry section, and short-diffuser configurations for good test-region flow and minimum total-pressure losses. Center-line static pressures through the test section, wall static pressures through the other parts of the tunnel, and total-pressure distributions at the inlet and exit stations of the diffuser were measured- With a slot length equal to two tunnel heights and 1/14 open-area-ratio slotted walls) a test region one tunnel height in length was obtained in which the deviation from the mean Mach number was less than +/- 0.01 up to Mach number 1.15. With 1/7 open-area-ratio slotted walls, a test region 0.84 tunnel heights in length with deviation less than +/- O.01 was obtained up to Mach number 1.26. Increasing the tunnel diffuser angle from 6.4 to 10 deg. increased pressure loss through the tunnel at Mach number 1.20 from 15 percent to 20 percent of the total pressure. The use of other diffusers with equivalent angles of 10 deg. but contoured so that the initial diffusion angle was less than 10 deg. and the final angle was 200 reduced the losses to as low as 16 percent. A method for changing the test-section Mach number rapidly by controlling the flow through a bypass line from the tunnel settling chamber to the slot-flow plenum chamber of the test section was very effective. The test-section Mach number was reduced approximately 5 percent in 1/8 second by bleeding into the test section a flow of air equal to 2 percent of the mainstream flow and 30 percent in 1/4 second with bleed flow equal to 10 percent of the mainstream flow. The rate of reduction was largely determined by the opening rate of the bleed-flow-control valve.

Little, B. H., Jr.

Modulation and diffusion theory of cosmic rays

Papers given on the modulation of galactic cosmic rays by the solar wind at the 14th International Cosmic Ray Conference are reviewed. Some of the topics treated in this review are Pioneer and Helios radial gradient measurement, heliolatitude effects in modulation models, diffusion (scattering) theory - including pitch angle diffusion diagrams - solar flare particle transport theory and cosmic ray fluctuations at neutron monitor energies.

Forman, M. A.