Influence of Geomagnetic Field on the Long-Range Propagation of Relativistic Electron Beam in the Atmosphere

Abstract

It is known that Earth’s atmosphere and geomagnetic field affect the propagation of an artificial electron beam; many previous studies have neglected the effect of their variation on the propagation dynamics. In this article, parameters in envelope equations were modified according to the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) model and MSIS-90 atmosphere model; then, the model was constructed to study the propagation of artificial electron beam in the atmosphere. Calculation of the beam’s energy loss and radial expansion in propagation showed that the variation of geomagnetic field intensity can be the main reason for the radial pinch in the altitudes above 150 km, and the ambient particle density plays a dominant role in the beam’s radial expansion in altitudes below 150 km. The Monte Carlo model was used to simulate the interactions of a relativistic (1 MeV) electron beam with the atmosphere in the altitude range 100–150 km. Energy deposition density demonstrates that the geomagnetic field can limit the radial expansion of the beam. The relativistic electron beam was emitted horizontally in the atmosphere. The geomagnetic field can limit the beam’s radial expansion and cause the beam to propagate along the field line, irrespective of the direction in which the beam is emitted.