PROTON LIFETIMES IN THE VAN ALLEN RADIATION BELTS
Abstract
Several loss mechanisms limit the lifetimes of protons in the inner and outer Van Allen radiation belts. During geomagnetically quiet periods the principal mechanisms are believed to be charge exchange and coulomb scattering. Specific density models for the neutral and charged components of the background exosphere are employed in order to made an absolute comparison of these two mechanisms. It is shown that charge exchange is dominant for proton energies from 2 to 200 kev giving equatorial lifetimes of about one day in the outer belt. At higher energies the protons have lifetimes of the order of years from these loss mechanisms. The dependence of the lifetimes on the mirror latitude lambda sub m of the trapped protons is given approximately by cos to the 6th power lambda sub m. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0261849
Entities
People
- Harold Liemohn
Organizations
- Boeing