GEOMAGNETICALLY TRAPPED ALPHA PARTICLES.
Abstract
This paper reports results of an extensive search for geomagnetically trapped nuclei heavier than deuterons in the energy range 0.52 < or = E < or = 4 MeV/nucleon, an energy region which is roughly two orders of magnitude below the regions previously investigated. The presence of geomagnetically trapped alpha particles was established. The significance of these observations lies in the fact that, although the intensity and energy spectrum of trapped protons E sub p approximately equal or > 30 MeV can be reasonably accounted for on the basis of the cosmic ray albedo neutron hypothesis, protons of energy below 30 MeV and down to 0.1 MeV or less cannot possibly be attributed to the albedo-neutron source. Thus, the special motivation for study of trapped nuclei having Z > or = 2 is to provide a set of parameters on one or more 'tracer' components of the radiation belts for testing the validity of hypotheses on their origin and on the origin of the much more abundant proton component.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0658340
Entities
People
- James A. van Allen
- S. M. Krimigis
Organizations
- University of Iowa