Sources, Losses, and Transport of Magnetospherically Trapped Particles

D. J. Williams

01/1970 · Space Disturbances Laboratory

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Trapping, pseudo-trapping, and nontrapping regions within an observed magnetospheric configuration are described. Time averages proton and electron distributions and available data concerning the alpha particle distribution within the trapping and pseudo-trapping regions are presented. A review of the observational evidence leading to the identification of major sources, losses, and transport of magnetospherically trapped particles is given. Conclusions are summarized and additional suggestions offered in these areas for inner and outer zone protons and electrons. One general result of this review is that much is now known of source, loss, and transport processes, although specific experiments and calculations must still be done. It is shown that the inclusion of pitch angle diffusion processes within the magnetosphere significantly alters the concept of a stable trapping and allows a consistent quiescent description of outer zone electrons to be formulated from energies of a few tens of kilovolts to several Mev.