Proton and electron mean free paths: The Palmer consensus revisited

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Abstract

view Abstract Citations (605) References (86) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Proton and Electron Mean Free Paths: The Palmer Consensus Revisited Bieber, John W. ; Matthaeus, William H. ; Smith, Charles W. ; Wanner, Wolfgang ; Kallenrode, May-Britt ; Wibberenz, Gerd Abstract We present experimental and theoretical evidence suggesting that the mean free path of cosmic-ray electrons and protons may be fundamentally different at low to intermediate (less than 50 MV) rigidities. The experimental evidence is from Helios observations of solar energetic particles, which show that the mean free path of 1.4 MV electrons is often similar to that of 187 MV protons, even though proton mean free paths continue to decrease comparatively rapidly with decreasing rigidty down to the lowest channels (about 100 MV) observed. The theoretical evidence is from computations of particle scattering in dynamical magnetic turbulence, which predict that electrons will have a larger mean free path than protons of the same rigidity. In the light of these new results, 'consensus' ideas about cosmic-ray mean free paths may require drastic revision. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: January 1994 DOI: 10.1086/173559 Bibcode: 1994ApJ...420..294B Keywords: Cosmic Rays; Electron Scattering; Interplanetary Medium; Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence; Mean Free Path; Proton Scattering; Magnetic Rigidity; Particle Trajectories; Solar Wind; Astrophysics; INTERPLANETARY MEDIUM; ISM: COSMIC RAYS; MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS: MHD; TURBULENCE full text sources ADS |

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