Charge-sign Dependent Modulation Research Articles

Time and Charge-sign Dependence of the Heliospheric Modulation of Cosmic Rays

Abstract Simultaneous and continuous observations of galactic cosmic-ray electrons (e −) and positrons (e +) from the PAMELA and AMS02 space experiments are most suitable for numerical modeling studies of the heliospheric modulation of these particles below 50 GeV. A well-established comprehensive three-dimensional modulation model is applied to compute full spectra for e − and e + with the purpose of reproducing the observed ratio e +/e − for a period that covers the previous long and unusual deep solar minimum activity and the recent maximum activity phase, including the polarity reversal of the solar magnetic field. For this purpose, the very local interstellar spectra for these particles were established first. Our study is focused on how the main modulation processes, including particle drifts, and other parameters, such as the three major diffusion coefficients, evolved and how the corresponding charge-sign dependent modulation subsequently occurred. The end result of our effort is the detailed reproduction of e +/e − from 2006 to 2015, displaying both qualitative and quantitative agreement with the main observed features. Particularly, we determine how much particle drift is needed to explain the time dependence exhibited by the observed e +/e − during each solar activity phase, especially during the polarity reversal phase, when no well-defined magnetic polarity was found.

Local interstellar spectra and solar modulation of cosmic ray electrons and positrons

Low energy cosmic rays are modulated by the solar activity when they propagation in the heliosphere, leading to ambiguities in understanding their acceleration at sources and propagation in the Milky Way. By means of the precise measurements of the e−,e+,e−+e+, and e+/(e−+e+) spectra by AMS-02 near the Earth, as well as the very low energy measurements of the e−+e+ fluxes by Voyager-1 far away from the Sun, we derive the local interstellar spectra (LIS) of e− and e+ components individually. Our method is based on a non-parametric description of the LIS of e− and e+ and a force-field solar modulation model. We then obtain the evolution of the solar modulation parameters based on the derived LIS and the monthly fluxes of cosmic ray e− and e+ measured by AMS-02. To better fit the monthly data, additional renormalization factors for e− and e+ have been multiplied to the modulated fluxes. We find that the inferred solar modulation parameters of positrons are in good agreement with that of cosmic ray nuclei, and the time evolutions of the solar modulation parameters of electrons and positrons differ after the reversal of the heliosphere magnetic field polarity, which shows clearly the charge-sign dependent modulation effect.

Observation of Complex Time Structures in the Cosmic-Ray Electron and Positron Fluxes by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the ISS

We present high-statistics, precision measurements by AMS of the detailed time and energy dependence of the primary cosmic-ray electron and positron fluxes over 79 Bartels rotations from May 2011 to May 2017 in the energy range from 1 to 50 GeV. For the first time, the charge-sign dependent modulation during the solar maximum has been investigated in detail by leptons alone. We report the observation of short-term structures on the timescale of months which are not visible in the positron-to-electron flux ratio. The precision measurements across the solar polarity reversal show that the ratio exhibits a smooth transition over ˜ 800 days from one value to another.

Time-Dependent AMS-02 Electron-Positron Fluxes in an Extended Force-Field Model.

The magnetized solar wind modulates the Galactic cosmic ray flux in the heliosphere up to rigidities as high as 40GeV. In this work, we present a new and straightforward extension of the popular but limited force-field model, thus providing a fast and robust method for phenomenological studies of Galactic cosmic rays. Our semianalytical approach takes into account charge-sign dependent modulation due to drifts in the heliospheric magnetic field and has been validated via comparison to a fully numerical code. Our model nicely reproduces the time-dependent AMS-02 measurements and we find the strength of diffusion and drifts to be strongly correlated with the heliospheric tilt angle and magnitude of the magnetic field. We are able to predict the electron and positron fluxes beyond the range for which measurements by AMS-02 have been presented. We have made an example script for the semianalytical model publicly available and we urge the community to adopt this approach for phenomenological studies.

Observation of Complex Time Structures in the Cosmic-Ray Electron and Positron Fluxes with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

We present high-statistics, precision measurements of the detailed time and energy dependence of the primary cosmic-ray electron flux and positron flux over 79 Bartels rotations from May 2011 to May 2017 in the energy range from 1 to 50GeV. For the first time, the charge-sign dependent modulation during solar maximum has been investigated in detail by leptons alone. Based on 23.5×10^{6} events, we report the observation of short-term structures on the timescale of months coincident in both the electron flux and the positron flux. These structures are not visible in the e^{+}/e^{-} flux ratio. The precision measurements across the solar polarity reversal show that the ratio exhibits a smooth transition over 830±30 days from one value to another. The midpoint of the transition shows an energy dependent delay relative to the reversal and changes by 260±30 days from 1 to 6GeV.

Solar Modulation of Cosmic Rays

This is an overview of the solar modulation of cosmic rays in the heliosphere. It is a broad topic with numerous intriguing aspects so that a research framework has to be chosen to concentrate on. The review focuses on the basic paradigms and departure points without presenting advanced theoretical or observational details for which there exists a large number of comprehensive reviews. Instead, emphasis is placed on numerical modeling which has played an increasingly significant role as computational resources have become more abundant. A main theme is the progress that has been made over the years. The emphasis is on the global features of CR modulation and on the causes of the observed 11-year and 22-year cycles and charge-sign dependent modulation. Illustrative examples of some of the theoretical and observational milestones are presented, without attempting to review all details or every contribution made in this field of research. Controversial aspects are discussed where appro- priate, with accompanying challenges and future prospects. The year 2012 was the centennial celebration of the discovery of cosmic rays so that several general reviews were dedicated to historical aspects so that such developments are brie y presented only in a few cases.

The dynamic heliosphere, solar activity, and cosmic rays

This brief review addresses the relation between solar activity, cosmic ray variations and the dynamics of the heliosphere. The global features of the heliosphere influence what happens inside its boundaries on a variety of time-scales. Galactic and anomalous cosmic rays are the messengers that convey vital information on global heliospheric changes in the manner that they respond to these changes. By observing cosmic rays over a large range of energies at Earth, and with various space detectors, a better understanding is gained about space weather and climate. The causes of the cosmic ray variability are reviewed, with emphasis on the 11-year and 22-year cycles, step modulation, charge-sign dependent modulation and particle drifts. Advances in this field are selectively discussed in the context of what still are some of the important uncertainties and outstanding issues.

Modelling cosmic ray intensities along the Ulysses trajectory

Abstract. Time dependent cosmic ray modulation in the inner heliosphere is studied by comparing results from a 2-D, time-dependent cosmic ray transport model with Ulysses observations. A compound approach, which combines the effects of the global changes in the heliospheric magnetic field magnitude with drifts to establish a realistic time-dependence, in the diffusion and drift coefficients, are used. We show that this model results in realistic cosmic ray modulation from the Ulysses launch (1990) until recently (2004) when compared to 2.5-GV electron and proton and 1.2-GV electron and Helium observations from this spacecraft. This approach is also applied to compute radial gradients present in 2.5-GV cosmic ray electron and protons in the inner heliosphere. The observed latitude dependence for both positive and negative charged particles during both the fast latitude scan periods, corresponding to different solar activity conditions, could also be realistically computed. For this an additional reduction in particle drifts (compared to diffusion) toward solar maximum is needed. This results in a realistic charge-sign dependent modulation at solar maximum and the model is also applied to predict charge-sign dependent modulation up to the next expected solar minimum.

Effects of the solar wind termination shock and heliosheath on theheliospheric modulation of galactic and anomalous Helium

Abstract. The interest in the role of the solar wind termination shock and heliosheath in cosmic ray modulation studies has increased significantly as the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft approach the estimated position of the solar wind termination shock. The effect of the solar wind termination shock on charge-sign dependent modulation, as is experienced by galactic cosmic ray Helium (He++) and anomalous Helium (He+), is the main topic of this work, and is complementary to the previous work on protons, anti-protons, electrons, and positrons. The modulation of galactic and anomalous Helium is studied with a numerical model including a more fundamental and comprehensive set of diffusion coefficients, a solar wind termination shock with diffusive shock acceleration, a heliosheath and particle drifts. The model allows a comparison of modulation with and without a solar wind termination shock and is applicable to a number of cosmic ray species during both magnetic polarity cycles of the Sun. The modulation of Helium, including an anomalous component, is also done to establish charge-sign dependence at low energies. We found that the heliosheath is important for cosmic ray modulation and that its effect on modulation is very similar for protons and Helium. The local Helium interstellar spectrum may not be known at energies

Charge-sign dependent modulation in the heliosphere over a 22-year cycle

Abstract. A time-dependent model based on a numerical solution of Parker’s transport equation is used to model the modulation of cosmic ray protons, electrons and helium for full 11-year and 22-year modulation cycles using a compound approach. This approach incorporates the concept of propagating diffusion barriers based on global increases in the heliospheric magnetic field as they propagate from the Sun throughout the heliosphere, combined with gradient, curvature and current sheet drifts and the other basic modulation mechanisms. The model results are compared to the observed 11-year and 22-year cycles for 1.2 GV electrons and 1.2 GV Helium at Earth for the period 1975–1998. The model solutions are also compared to the observed charge-sign dependent modulation along Ulysses’ trajectory for the period 1990–1998. This compound approach to long-term modulation, especially charge-sign dependent modulation, is found to be remarkably successful. It is shown that the model can easily account for the latitude dependence for cosmic ray protons and the lack thereof for cosmic ray electrons by assuming large perpendicular diffusion in the polar direction. This approach contributes to an improved understanding of how diffusion and drifts vary from solar minimum to maximum modulation, and what the time-dependence of the heliospheric diffusion coefficients may be. Key words. Interplanetary physics (energetic particles; cosmic rays; general or miscellaneous)

Modulation of galactic and anomalous cosmic rays in the inner heliosphere

Abstract Our knowledge on how galactic and anomalous cosmic rays are modulated in the inner heliosphere has been dramatically enlarged due to measurements provided by several missions launched in the past ten years. The current paradigma of singly charged anomalous cosmic rays has been confirmed by recent measurements from the SAMPEX and ACE satelite. Ulysses explored the inner heliosphere at polar regions during the last solar minimum period and is heading again to high heliographic latitudes during the time of the conference in July, 2000. The Sun approaches maximum activity when the spacecraft is at high heliographic latitudes giving us for the first time the possibility to explore modulation of cosmic rays in the inner three-dimensional heliosphere during such conditions. Ulysses electron measurements in addition to the 1 AU ICE electron and IMP helium measurements allows us to investigate charge sign dependent modulation over a full 22-year solar magnetic cycle. Implications of these observations for our understanding of different modulation processes in the inner three-dimensional heliosphere are presented.

Cosmic Ray Transport — Modulation and the Anomalous Component

Cosmic ray transport research is reviewed for the 1987-1990 time period, focusing on diffusive transport. Problems discussed include the diffusion model, anomalous components, radial gradient and north south anisotropy, short term modulation, long-term solar modulation, and charge sign dependent modulation.

Magnetic helicity of the IMF and the solar modulation of cosmic rays

Using interplanetary magnetic field data acquired at 1 AU, we show that the distribution of magnetic helicity in the heliosphere is asymmetric about the current sheet, in accord with recent theoretical predictions. Such an asymmetric distribution of helicity can in principle explain the sensitivity of the solar modulation of cosmic rays to the sun's magnetic polarity, as observed in charge sign dependent modulation, Jovian electrons, and anomalous 4He.