Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Geophysical Research Letters
Abstract
A nonlinear guiding center (NLGC) theory for diffusion of charged particles perpendicular to the mean magnetic field was recently proposed. Here, we draw attention to a number of attractive features of this theory: (1) The theory provides a natural mechanism to connect the perpendicular mean free path with the parallel mean free path. In fact, the parallel mean free path is the only particle property required to determine uniquely the perpendicular mean free path. (2) Under a broad range of conditions, the theory predicts that the perpendicular mean free path will be of order one percent or a few percent of the parallel mean free path, in agreement with numerical simulations of particle transport. (3) For conditions representative of the inner heliosphere, the theory predicts values of the perpendicular mean free path in agreement with observational determinations from Jovian electrons and from modeling Ulysses observations of Galactic protons.
DOI
10.1029/2004GL020007
Publication Date
2004
Recommended Citation
Bieber, John W.; Matthaeus, William H.; Shalchi, Andreas; and Qin, Gang, "Nonlinear Guiding Center Theory Of Perpendicular Diffusion: General Properties And Comparison With Observation" (2004). Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications. 508.
https://repository.fit.edu/apss_faculty/508