Transport of high-energy charged particles through spatially-intermittent turbulent magnetic fields

TL;DR

This study experimentally investigates how high-energy charged particles propagate through spatially-intermittent turbulent magnetic fields, revealing that diffusion remains unaffected by intermittency in regimes relevant to cosmic rays.

Contribution

First experimental measurement of charged-particle diffusion in magnetized plasma with intermittent turbulence, showing diffusion coefficient independence from intermittency.

Findings

Transport is diffusive in the studied regime.

Diffusion coefficient is unaffected by magnetic field intermittency.

Results inform cosmic ray propagation models.

Abstract

Identifying the sources of the highest energy cosmic rays requires understanding how they are deflected by the stochastic, spatially intermittent intergalactic magnetic field. Here we report measurements of energetic charged-particle propagation through a laser-produced magnetized plasma with these properties. We characterize the diffusive transport of the particles experimentally. The results show that the transport is diffusive and that, for the regime of interest for the highest-energy cosmic rays, the diffusion coefficient is unaffected by the spatial intermittency of the magnetic field.