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A simple model of magnetic moment scattering in a field reversal
Author(s) -
Delcourt D. C.,
Martin R. F.,
Alem F.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/94gl01291
Subject(s) - physics , impulse (physics) , moment (physics) , classical mechanics , magnetic moment , magnetic field , magnetosphere particle motion , magnetic dipole , adiabatic process , scattering , proton magnetic moment , mechanics , computational physics , electron magnetic dipole moment , optics , condensed matter physics , quantum mechanics
We examine the nonadiabatic motion of charged particles in a field reversal using a simple centrifugal impulse model. It is shown that, though this model cannot account for long term behaviors, it accurately describes the abrupt magnetic moment change experienced by the particles between two consecutive adiabatic (magnetic moment conserving) sequences. Good agreement is obtained between analytical estimates and trajectory computations. Our analysis also suggests a new pitch angle dependent parameter to characterize the jumps in magnetic moment. Application to particle motion in a cusped field geometry demonstrates that magnetic moment damping and subsequent particle escape can be adequately modeled by means of such centrifugal impulses.