Analytical and numerical investigation of energetic particles interacting with turbulent magnetic fields
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Date
2017
Authors
Heusen, Martin H.
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Abstract
A fundamental problem in astrophysics is the interaction between space plasmas and energetic particles. Plasmas form the vast majority of space and can be found in any astrophysical environment, from the plasma of the solar wind to the interstellar medium for example. When plasmas stream through space, they give rise to turbulent magnetic fields. In addition, space is populated by energetic particles whose origins could be interplanetary, such as solar energetic particles generated by explosions on the surface of the Sun, or Galactic, such as cosmic rays generated by supernova remnants. As these particles propagate through interplanetary or interstellar space, they experience scattering due to magnetic turbulence. Describing these scattering effects, through the calculation of diffusion coefficients, is crucial to understanding several important processes in astrophysics. Such processes include particle acceleration at interplanetary shocks, solar modulation and space weather studies, and the motion of cosmic rays through galaxies. A test-particle code is developed to simulate the interaction of charged particles with turbulent magnetic fields. Diffusion coefficients along and across the mean magnetic field are calculated and compared with analytical theories and space mission measurements. Turbulence models with reduced dimensionality and full three-dimensional corresponding to different space settings are considered, including reproducing the magnetic turbulence in the solar wind and the interstellar medium. Wave propagation, dynamical effects, and unique turbulence setups such as noisy hydrodynamic models are also considered. We show that the influence of turbulence properties and various space regimes on transport parameters is minor and not as strong as originally thought. This points toward a universal transport behaviour of charged particles which motivates the employment of a comprehensive diffusion formula for different space settings. In addition, we were able for the first time to accurately describe the interaction between Galactic cosmic rays and dynamical solar wind turbulence to reproduce observational results of mean free paths. The validity of certain asymptotic limits for the parallel and perpendicular diffusion coefficients are examined. It is shown that only two parameters control those limits, namely the fundamental length scale of magnetic turbulence and the ratio of turbulence strength to the mean field.
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Keywords
Diffusion, Turbulence, Magnetic Fields, Energetic Charged Particles