Non-shock diffusive acceleration in regions of solar-wind compression

Revisiting the theory of the evolution of pick-up ion distributions: magnetic or adiabatic cooling?

Annales Geophysicae ◽

10.5194/angeo-25-2649-2007 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 25 (12) ◽

pp. 2649-2659 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

H. J. Fahr

Keyword(s):

Solar Wind ◽

Particle Interaction ◽

Distribution Functions ◽

Particle Interactions ◽

Ion Distribution ◽

Ion Distributions ◽

Magnetic Cooling ◽

Adiabatic Cooling ◽

Diffusive Acceleration ◽

Nonlinear Energy

Abstract. We study the phasespace behaviour of heliospheric pick-up ions after the time of their injection as newly created ions into the solar wind bulk flow from either charge exchange or photoionization of interplanetary neutral atoms. As interaction with the ambient MHD wave fields we allow for rapid pitch angle diffusion, but for the beginning of this paper we shall neglect the effect of quasilinear or nonlinear energy diffusion (Fermi-2 acceleration) induced by counterflowing ambient waves. In the up-to-now literature connected with the convection of pick-up ions by the solar wind only adiabatic cooling of these ions is considered which in the solar wind frame takes care of filling the gap between the injection energy and energies of the thermal bulk of solar wind ions. Here we reinvestigate the basics of the theory behind this assumption of adiabatic pick-up ion reactions and correlated predictions derived from it. We then compare it with the new assumption of a pure magnetic cooling of pick-up ions simply resulting from their being convected in an interplanetary magnetic field which decreases in magnitude with increase of solar distance. We compare the results for pick-up ion distribution functions derived along both ways and can point out essential differences of observational and diagnostic relevance. Furthermore we then include stochastic acceleration processes by wave-particle interactions. As we can show, magnetic cooling in conjunction with diffusive acceleration by wave-particle interaction allows for an unbroken power law with the unique power index γ=−5 beginning from lowest velocities up to highest energy particles of about 100 KeV which just marginally can be in resonance with magnetoacoustic turbulences. Consequences for the resulting pick-up ion pressures are also analysed.

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Saturn's E, G and F rings: modulated by the plasma sheet

International Astronomical Union Colloquium ◽

10.1017/s0252921100101666 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 75 ◽

pp. 597

Author(s):

E. Grün ◽

G.E. Morfill ◽

T.V. Johnson ◽

G.H. Schwehm

Keyword(s):

Solar Wind ◽

Direct Contact ◽

Transport Processes ◽

Time Variable ◽

Dust Particles ◽

Spatial Diffusion ◽

Drag Forces ◽

Orbit Perturbation ◽

Time Variations ◽

F Ring

ABSTRACTSaturn's broad E ring, the narrow G ring and the structured and apparently time variable F ring(s), contain many micron and sub-micron sized particles, which make up the “visible” component. These rings (or ring systems) are in direct contact with magnetospheric plasma. Fluctuations in the plasma density and/or mean energy, due to magnetospheric and solar wind processes, may induce stochastic charge variations on the dust particles, which in turn lead to an orbit perturbation and spatial diffusion. It is suggested that the extent of the E ring and the braided, kinky structure of certain portions of the F rings as well as possible time variations are a result of plasma induced electromagnetic perturbations and drag forces. The G ring, in this scenario, requires some form of shepherding and should be akin to the F ring in structure. Sputtering of micron-sized dust particles in the E ring by magnetospheric ions yields lifetimes of 102to 104years. This effect as well as the plasma induced transport processes require an active source for the E ring, probably Enceladus.

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Quantitative surface damage studies by H.R.E.M.

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s042482010015513x ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 47 ◽

pp. 632-633

Author(s):

S. R. Singh ◽

H. J. Fan ◽

L. D. Marks

Keyword(s):

Solar Wind ◽

Quantitative Analysis ◽

Surface Science ◽

Surface Damage ◽

Space Environment ◽

Oxygen Desorption ◽

The Past ◽

Diffusion Controlled ◽

Original Observation ◽

Substantial Interest

Since the original observation that the surfaces of materials undergo radiation damage in the electron microscope similar to that observed by more conventional surface science techniques there has been substantial interest in understanding these phenomena in more detail; for a review see. For instance, surface damage in a microscope mimics damage in the space environment due to the solar wind and electron beam lithographic operations.However, purely qualitative experiments that have been done in the past are inadequate. In addition, many experiments performed in conventional microscopes may be inaccurate. What is needed is careful quantitative analysis including comparisons of the behavior in UHV versus that in a conventional microscope. In this paper we will present results of quantitative analysis which clearly demonstrate that the phenomena of importance are diffusion controlled; more detailed presentations of the data have been published elsewhere.As an illustration of the results, Figure 1 shows a plot of the shrinkage of a single, roughly spherical particle of WO3 versus time (dose) driven by oxygen desorption from the surface.

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