BREMSSTRAHLUNG IN THE LOWER IONOSPHERE,
Abstract
An aeronomic analysis is made of effective bremsstrahlung effects which are due to electrons penetrating into the upper atmosphere in the auroral zone. The electron attenuation in the atmosphere is determined from a Monte Carlo model which includes electron energy loss and scattering processes. A comparison is made between experimental results and the calculated energy deposition rates. Typical electron energy and angular distributions as a function of depth of penetration are given. Bremsstrahlung production rate profiles are obtained using the Bethe-Heitler cross sections which include the angular as well as the energy dependence. Numerical calculations are made of the ion production rates for a number of electron precipitation events which were observed. Electron energy distributions are obtained by suitably weighting basic calculations for 5, 10, 15, 25, 35, 50, 70, 100, 150, and 500 kev mono-energetic electrons. The bremsstrahlung ion production rates in the D region are found to be significant primarily for intense fluxes of 1 - 20 kev electrons usually associated with visible auorora. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 15, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0689458
Entities
People
- Gustav J. Freyer Iii
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University