An Evaluation of Different Numerical Methods to Calculate the Pitch-angle Diffusion Coefficient from Full-orbit Simulations: Disentangling a Rope of Sand
The pitch-angle diffusion coefficient (PADC) quantifies the effect of pitch-angle scattering on charged particles propagating through turbulent magnetic fields and is a key ingredient in understanding the diffusion of these particles along the background magnetic field. Despite its significance, onl...
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| Language: | English |
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IOP Publishing
2024-01-01
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| Series: | The Astrophysical Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad8b4a |
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| author | J. P. van den Berg P. L. Els N. E. Engelbrecht |
| author_facet | J. P. van den Berg P. L. Els N. E. Engelbrecht |
| author_sort | J. P. van den Berg |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The pitch-angle diffusion coefficient (PADC) quantifies the effect of pitch-angle scattering on charged particles propagating through turbulent magnetic fields and is a key ingredient in understanding the diffusion of these particles along the background magnetic field. Despite its significance, only a limited number of studies have calculated the PADC from test-particle simulations in synthetic magnetic turbulence, employing various, often quite different, techniques for this purpose. In this study, we undertake a comparative analysis of nine different methods for calculating the PADC from full-orbit simulations. Our objective is to find the strengths and limitations of each method and to determine the most reliable approach. Although all nine methods should theoretically yield comparable results, certain methods may be ill-suited for numerical investigations, while others may not be applicable under conditions of strong turbulence. Through this investigation, we aim to provide recommendations for best practices when employing these methods in future numerical studies of pitch-angle scattering. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b6567f4cc08546e7a267667c8fa080ee |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1538-4357 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | IOP Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Astrophysical Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-b6567f4cc08546e7a267667c8fa080ee2025-08-20T02:50:08ZengIOP PublishingThe Astrophysical Journal1538-43572024-01-01977217410.3847/1538-4357/ad8b4aAn Evaluation of Different Numerical Methods to Calculate the Pitch-angle Diffusion Coefficient from Full-orbit Simulations: Disentangling a Rope of SandJ. P. van den Berg0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1170-1470P. L. Els1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2141-7705N. E. Engelbrecht2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3659-7956Center for Space Research, North-West University , Potchefstroom, 2522, South Africa ; 24182869@mynwu.ac.zaCenter for Space Research, North-West University , Potchefstroom, 2522, South Africa ; 24182869@mynwu.ac.zaCenter for Space Research, North-West University , Potchefstroom, 2522, South Africa ; 24182869@mynwu.ac.zaThe pitch-angle diffusion coefficient (PADC) quantifies the effect of pitch-angle scattering on charged particles propagating through turbulent magnetic fields and is a key ingredient in understanding the diffusion of these particles along the background magnetic field. Despite its significance, only a limited number of studies have calculated the PADC from test-particle simulations in synthetic magnetic turbulence, employing various, often quite different, techniques for this purpose. In this study, we undertake a comparative analysis of nine different methods for calculating the PADC from full-orbit simulations. Our objective is to find the strengths and limitations of each method and to determine the most reliable approach. Although all nine methods should theoretically yield comparable results, certain methods may be ill-suited for numerical investigations, while others may not be applicable under conditions of strong turbulence. Through this investigation, we aim to provide recommendations for best practices when employing these methods in future numerical studies of pitch-angle scattering.https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad8b4aMagnetic fieldsInterplanetary turbulenceInterstellar scatteringStellar diffusion |
| spellingShingle | J. P. van den Berg P. L. Els N. E. Engelbrecht An Evaluation of Different Numerical Methods to Calculate the Pitch-angle Diffusion Coefficient from Full-orbit Simulations: Disentangling a Rope of Sand The Astrophysical Journal Magnetic fields Interplanetary turbulence Interstellar scattering Stellar diffusion |
| title | An Evaluation of Different Numerical Methods to Calculate the Pitch-angle Diffusion Coefficient from Full-orbit Simulations: Disentangling a Rope of Sand |
| title_full | An Evaluation of Different Numerical Methods to Calculate the Pitch-angle Diffusion Coefficient from Full-orbit Simulations: Disentangling a Rope of Sand |
| title_fullStr | An Evaluation of Different Numerical Methods to Calculate the Pitch-angle Diffusion Coefficient from Full-orbit Simulations: Disentangling a Rope of Sand |
| title_full_unstemmed | An Evaluation of Different Numerical Methods to Calculate the Pitch-angle Diffusion Coefficient from Full-orbit Simulations: Disentangling a Rope of Sand |
| title_short | An Evaluation of Different Numerical Methods to Calculate the Pitch-angle Diffusion Coefficient from Full-orbit Simulations: Disentangling a Rope of Sand |
| title_sort | evaluation of different numerical methods to calculate the pitch angle diffusion coefficient from full orbit simulations disentangling a rope of sand |
| topic | Magnetic fields Interplanetary turbulence Interstellar scattering Stellar diffusion |
| url | https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad8b4a |
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