Scattering of energetic particles by anisotropic magnetohydrodynamic turbulence with a Goldreich-Sridhar power spectrum
Abstract
Description
Scattering rates for a Goldreich-Sridhar (GS) spectrum of anisotropic, incompressible, magnetohydrodynamic turbulence are calculated in the quasilinear approximation. Because the small-scale fluctuations are constrained to have wave vectors nearly perpendicular to the background magnetic field, scattering is too weak to provide either the mean free paths commonly used in Galactic cosmic-ray propagation models or the mean free paths required for acceleration of cosmic rays at quasi-parallel shocks. Where strong pitch-angle scattering occurs, it is due to fluctuations not described by the GS spectrum, such as fluctuations generated by streaming cosmic rays.
5 pages, 1 figure, to appear in Physical Review Letters. Minor changes in wording and grammar from version 2. Like version 2, this version discusses relevance of magnetic-moment conservation to non-resonant scattering. All equations are the same as in version 1
5 pages, 1 figure, to appear in Physical Review Letters. Minor changes in wording and grammar from version 2. Like version 2, this version discusses relevance of magnetic-moment conservation to non-resonant scattering. All equations are the same as in version 1