THE DISTRIBUTION OF TRAPPED PARTICLES IN A CHANGING MAGNETIC FIELD
Abstract
T redistribution of charged p rticles in the mirror field B(s,t) = BoT(t) 1 + s/a(t) (t) is worked out for slow changes in T t), a(t), and (t). It is found that increasing T(t) gives a relatively greater particle density incrte effect. Field variations constrained to preserve T(t)a2(t) and (t) leave t e form of the particle distributio unc a ged, increasing the density everywhere by the same factor. Comparing the theoretical results with the analysis by Fan, Meyer, and Simpson (J. Geophys. Research, 66, 1961) of the large chanase in the center of the field than deep in the mirrors s>> a(t). The mirror distance retracts like 1/T1/( +2). Decreasing a(t) has the opposite effect. Field variations constrained to preserve T(t)a2(t) and (t) leave t e form of the particle distributio unc a ged, increasing the density everywhere by the same factor. Comparing the theoretical results with the analysis by Fan, Meyer, and Simpson (J. Geophys. Research, 66, 1961) of the large changes in the outer Van Allen radiation zone during the magnetic activity of August 1960 shows that the changes in the particle den ity can be explained by a small increase of T(t) with a(t) fixed, and later by a decrease of a( T) so that T(t)a2(t) approxi ates to its initial value. No irreversible particle injec ion or acceleration appears necessary to explain th changes in the radiation zone. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0261088
Entities
People
- E.n. Parker
Organizations
- University of Chicago