Validation of Ionization Model CORSIMA Applied for Multiply Charged Anomalous Cosmic Rays

Abstract

During the acceleration of anomalous cosmic rays (ACRs) some singly-charged ions are stripped of additional electrons. The resulting multiply-charged (MC) ions are accelerated more efficiently, and most ACRs with ≥ 30 MeV/nuc are multiply-charged. This paper considers some implications of multiply-charged ACRs, including their penetration and ionization in the system ionosphere-middle atmosphere.

The influence of Multiply Charged Anomalous Cosmic Rays (MCACRs) on ionization in the boundary of the ionosphere-middle atmosphere system (40—50 km) is investigated, taking into account the spectra, intensity, geomagnetic, and atmospheric cut-offs. The MCACR spectra and intensity in the middle atmosphere are determined using the CORSIMA (COsmic Ray Spectra and Intensity in Middle Atmosphere) model. MCACR spectra are presented for various atmospheric altitudes within the range of 40—50 km, with the lower boundary of the ionosphere at approximately 50 km. Experimental satellite measurements are utilized for the main MCACR constituents, including Hydrogen (protons), Helium and Oxygen nuclei. It is found that the influence of MCACRs extends to the polar cap regions above 65°–70° geomagnetic latitude, and certain MCACR ionization rate values in these regions are comparable to Galactic Cosmic Ray (GCR) ionization rates.