Diffusion of high-energy solar particles through interplanetary space
The effects of the interplanetary magnetic field on the propagation of solar cosmic-ray particles are studied. The presence of the quasi-stable magnetic field of garden-hose type found by satellite observations suggests that the movement of the particles along these lines of force is much easier than that perpendicular to them. The diffusion equation of the particles through such a medium is solved, and the number density of particles at the earth is computed for several values of parameters. The results of the computation concerning the dependence of the time of maximum density on the position of the source relative to the sun–earth line are compared with those obtained from observations. It is found that the diffusion coefficient perpendicular to the line of force is 1/10 to 1/20 of that parallel to the line for relativistic particles, while the ratio is 1/50 to 1/100 for lower-energy particles.