Researchers from the Institute of High Energy Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a new model to better understand the behavior of protons and antiprotons in the heliosphere, the bubble of space dominated by the solar wind. This research, published in the Astrophysical Journal, could have implications for understanding cosmic radiation and its impact on space-based energy infrastructure.
The team, led by Hui-Ming Zhang, created a unified charge-dependent solar modulation model by solving the three-dimensional Parker transport equation. This equation describes how cosmic rays propagate through the heliosphere. The model incorporates a realistic wavy heliospheric current sheet, which is crucial for treating drift effects accurately. Drift effects are important because they influence how charged particles like protons and antiprotons move through the heliosphere.
To make the model practical, the researchers used neural-network-based surrogate models. These surrogate models allow for rapid parameter scans, making it easier to fit the model to data. The team used data from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer – 02 (AMS-02) on the International Space Station, which measured proton and antiproton fluxes during a solar-quiet period from May 2011 to June 2022.
The results showed that the model could simultaneously describe the observed proton and antiproton fluxes with physically reasonable parameters. This provides a unified account of charge-dependent modulation, meaning it accurately represents how solar activity affects the flux of these particles.
For the energy sector, particularly space-based solar power or satellite operations, understanding cosmic radiation is crucial. Cosmic rays can damage electronic components and affect the performance of space-based energy systems. This model could help predict and mitigate the effects of cosmic radiation, ensuring the reliability and longevity of space-based energy infrastructure.
In summary, the research provides a more accurate and efficient way to model the behavior of charged particles in the heliosphere. This could lead to better predictions of cosmic radiation, which is beneficial for the energy sector, especially for space-based applications. The study was published in the Astrophysical Journal, a reputable source for astrophysics research.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.