Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Solar Neutron Decay Phenomenon

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Solar Neutrons and Related Phenomena

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library ((ASSL,volume 365))

  • 765 Accesses

Abstarct

Evenson et al (1983a, b) discovered the solar neutron decay phenomenon when they measured the flux of 25−45 MeV protons observed by instruments (belonging to University of Chicago) aboard the ISEE-3 spacecraft, during the well-known event of June 3, 1982. This discovery allowed for the very important possibility to use measurements of neutron decay products to obtain additional information on solar neutron events.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aurass H, Mann G, Rausche G, Warmuth A (2006) The GLE on Oct. 28, 2003 – radio diagnostics of relativistic electron and proton injection. Astron Astrophys (France) 457(2):681–692

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bieber JW, Clem J, Evenson P, Pyle R, Ruffolo D, Saiz A (2005) Relativistic solar neutrons and protons on 28 October 2003. Geophys Res Lett 32(3):L03S02. doi:10.1029/2004GL021492, 1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Cane HV, von Rosenvinge TT, Cohen CMS, Mewaldt RA (2003) Two components in major solar particle events. Geophys Res Lett 30(12):8017. doi:10.1029/2002GL016580, SEP5-1-4

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Cane HV, Cohen CMS, Mewaldt RA, von Rosenvinge TT (2006) Role of flares and shocks in determining solar energetic particle abundances. J Geophys Res 111(A6):A06S90. doi:10.1029/2005JA011071, 1-11

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiba N, Dion GM, Hayashida N, Honda K, Honda M, Inoue N, Kadota K, Kakimoto F, Kamata K, Kawaguchi S, Kawasumi N, Matsubara Y, Nagano M, Ohoka H, Teshima M, Tsushima I, Yoshida S, Yoshii H, Yoshikoshi T (1992) Possible evidence for ≥10 GeV neutrons associated with the solar flare of 4 June 1991”, Astroparticie Physics, 1, No. 1, 27–32

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Chupp EL (1982) Solar energetic photon transients (50 keV−100 MeV). In: Lingenfelter RE, Hudson HS, Worrall DM (eds) Gamma ray transients and related astrophysical phenomena. Proceedings of the workshop, La Jolla, CA, 1981. AIP Conference Proceedings, vol 77, No 1, pp 363–381

    Google Scholar 

  • Chupp EL, Forrest DJ, Ryan JM, Heslin J, Reppin C, Pinkau K, Kanbach G, Rieger E, Share GH (1982) A direct observation of solar neutrons following the 0118 UT flare on 1980 June 21. Astrophys J 263(2, Part 2):L95–L99

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Chupp EL, Forrest DJ, Share GH, Kanbach G, Debrunner H, Flueckiger E (1983) Solar neutrons from the impulsive flare on 1982 June 3 at 1143 UT. In: Proceedings of the 18th international cosmic ray conference, Bangalore, India, vol 10, pp 334–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Chupp EL, Debrunner H, Fluckiger E, Forrest DJ, Golliez F, Kanbach G, Vestrand WT, Cooper J, Share G (1987) Solar neutron emissivity during the large flare on 1982 June 3. Astrophys J (USA) 318(2, Part 1):913–925

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen CMS, Stone EC, Mewaldt RA, Leske RA, Cummings AC, Mason GM, Desai MI, von Rosenvinge TT, Wicdenbeck ME (2005) Heavy ion abundances and spectra from the large solar energetic particle events of October-November 2003. J Geophys Res 110(A9):A09S16. doi:10.1029/2005JA011004, 1-15

    Google Scholar 

  • Daibog EI, Stolpovskii VG (1987) Can we detect electrons from the decay of solar neutrons. Sov Astron Lett 13(6):458–461

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Debrunner H, Flückiger EO, Chupp EL, Forrest DJ (1983) The solar cosmic ray neutron event on June 3, 1982. In: Proceedings of the 18th international cosmic ray conference, Bangalore, India, vol 4, pp 75–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Debrunner H, Lockwood JA, Ryan JM, McConnell M, Schonfelder V, Aarts H, Bennett K, Winkler C (1993) Neutrons from the 15 June 1991 solar flare. In: Proceedings of the 23rd international cosmic ray conference, Calgary, vol 3, pp 115–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Dorman LI, Venkatesan D (1993) Solar cosmic rays. Space Sci Rev 64(3–4):183–362

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Dröge W (1994) Transport of solar energetic particles. Astrophys J Suppl Ser 90(2):567–576

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Dröge W, Ruffolo D, Klecker B (1996) Observation of electrons from the decay of solar flare neutrons. Astrophys J 464:L87–L90

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Dunphy PP, Chupp EL (1992) Gamma-rays and neutrons as a probe of the proton spectrum during the solar flare of 1988 December 16. In: Zank GP, Gaisser TK (eds) Particle acceleration in cosmic plasmas, Newark, DE, 1991. AIP Conference Proceedings, vol 264, No 1, pp 253–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunphy PP, Chupp EL, Rieger E (1990) Analysis of SMM GRS High-Energy (>10 MeV) Data from the Solar Flare of 1988 December 16. In: Proceedings of the 21st international cosmic ray conference, Adelaide, vol 5, pp 75–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Efimov YuE, Kocharov GE, Kudela K (1983) On the solar neutrons observation on high mountain neutron monitor. In: Proceedings of the 18th international cosmic ray conference, Bangalore, India, vol 10, pp 276–278

    Google Scholar 

  • Evenson P, Meyer P, Pyle KR (1983a) Protons from the decay of solar flare neutrons. Astrophys J 274(2, Part 1):875–882

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Evenson P, Kroeger R, Meyer P, Muller D (1983b) Solar flare neutron fluxes derived from interplanetary charged particle measurements. In: Proceedings of the 18th international cosmic ray conference, Bangalore, India, vol 4, pp 97–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Evenson PA, Kroeger R, Meyer P (1985) Further observations of protons resulting from the decay of neutrons ejected by solar flares. In: Proceedings of the 19th international cosmic ray conference, La Jolla, CA, vol 4, pp 130–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Evenson P, Kroeger R, Meyer P, Reames D (1990) Solar neutron decay proton observations in cycle 21. Astrophys J Suppl Ser (USA) 73(2):273–277

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Gopalswamy N, Yashiro S, Liu Y, Michalek G, Vourlidas A, Kaiser ML, Howard RA (2005a) Coronal mass ejections and other extreme characteristics of the 2003 October–November solar eruptions. J Geophys Res 110(A9):A09S15. doi:10.1029/2004JA010958, 1-18

    Google Scholar 

  • Gopalswamy N, Xie H, Yashiro S, Usoskin I (2005b) Coronal mass ejections and ground level enhancements. In: Proceedings of the 29th international cosmic ray conference, Pune, India, vol 1, pp 169–172

    Google Scholar 

  • Guglenko VG, Efimov YuE, Kocharov GE, Kovaltsov GA, Mandzhavidze NZ, Terekhov MM, Kocharov LG (1990) Neutrons and gamma-ray emission on 1982 June 3: the possibility of fitting the data on the assumption of one population of accelerated particles [solar flares]. Astrophys J Suppl Ser (USA) 73(2):209–211

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hovestadt D, Klecker B, Scholer M, Arbinger H, Hofner H, Kunneth E, Laeverenz P, Gloeckler G, Fan CY, Fisk LA, Ipavich FM, O'Gallagher JJ, Cain J, Tums E (1978) The nuclear and ionic charge distribution particle experiments on ISEE-1 and ISEE-C spacecraft. IEEE T Geosci Elect GE-16(3):166–175

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hua H-M, Lingenfelter RE (1987a) Solar flare neutron and accelerated ion angular distributions. Astrophys J 323(2, Part 1):779–794

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hua H-M, Lingenfelter RE (1987b) Solar flare neutron production and the angular dependence of the capture gamma-ray emission. Sol Phys 107(2):351–383

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Jokipii JR (1966) Cosmic-ray propagation. I. Charged particles in a random magnetic field. Astrophys J 146(2, Part 1):480–487

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Jokipii JR (1973) Radial variation of magnetic fluctuations and the cosmic-ray diffusion tensor in the solar wind. Astrophys J 182(2, Part 1):585–600

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Kallenrode M-B (1993) Neutral lines and azimuthal `transport' of solar energetic particles. J Geophys Res (USA) 98(A4):5573–5591

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Kiener J, Gros M, Tatischeff V, Weidenspointner G (2006) Properties of the energetic particle distributions during the October 28, 2003 solar flare from INTEGRAL/SPI observations. Astron Astrophys (France) 445(2):725–733

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Klassen A, Krucker S, Kunow H, Müller-Mellin R, Wimmer-Schweingruber R, Mann G, Posner A (2005) Solar energetic electrons related to the 28 October 2003 flare. J Geophys Res 110(A9):A09S04. doi:10.1029/2004JA010910, 1-6

    Google Scholar 

  • Koi T, Matsuura N, Muraki Y, Terasawa T, Yanagita S (1993) Prediction of electrons as decay products of solar neutrons. In: Proceedings of the 23rd international cosmic ray conference, Calgary, vol 3, pp 151–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolomeets EV, Sevastjanov VN, Chebakova EA (1988) Estimation of energy spectra of neutrons generated during flares on the Sun by using electrons of their decay. Izvestia Academy of Science of KazSSR, No. 4: 60–66 (in Russian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Krucker S, Larson DE, Lin RP, Thompson BJ (1999) On the origin of impulsive electron events observed at 1 AU. Astrophys J (USA) 519(2, Part 1):864–875

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Kurganov IG, Ostryakov VM (1989) The simulation of the spread of protons from solar-based disintegration of neutrons. Izv AN SSSR Ser Phys 53(2):381–384 (In Russian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuznetsov SN, Kurt VG, Myagkova IN, Yushkov BY, Kudela K (2006a) Gamma-ray emission and neutrons from solar flares recorded by the SONG instrument in 2001–2004. Sol Syst Res (Russia) 40(2):104–110

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Kuznetsov SN, Kurt VG, Yushkov BYu, Myagkova IN, Kudela K, Kaššovicová J, Slivka M (2006b) Proton acceleration during 20 January 2005 solar flare: CORONAS-F observations of high-energy γ emission and GLE. Contrib Astron Obs Skalnate Pleso 36(2):85–92

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Le GM, Tang YH, Tang YQ (2007a) What did the occurrence of relativistic solar neutrons on 28 October 2003 mean? In: Proceedings of the 30th international cosmic ray conference, Merida (Mexico), Pre-conference edition, http://dpnc.unige.ch/ams/ICRC-07/icrc0397.pdf, 1-4

  • Le GM, Han YB, Zhang YJ (2007b) A comparative analysis on two solar proton events. Chinese Sci Bull 52(1):47–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li C, Tang YH, Dai Y, Zong WG, Fang C (2007) The acceleration characteristics of solar energetic particles in the 2000 July 14 event. Astron Astrophys (France) 461(3):1115–1119

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Lingenfelter RE, Ramaty R (1967) High energy nuclear reactions in solar flares. In: Shen BSP (ed) High energy nuclear reactions in astrophysics. Benjamin, New York, pp 99–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Mewaldt RA, Cohen CMS, Labrador AW, Leske RA, Mason GM, Desai MI, Looper MD, Mazur JE, Selesnick RS, Haggerty DK (2005) Proton, helium, and electron spectra during the large solar particle events of October–November 2003. J Geophys Res 110(A9):A09S18. doi:10.1029/2005JA011038, 1-22

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer P, Evenson P (1978) The University of Chicago cosmic ray electrons and nuclei experiment on the H spacecraft. IEEE T Geosci Elect (USA) GE-16(3):180–185

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Miroshnichenko LI, Klein K-L, Trottet G, Lantos P, Vashenyuk EV, Balabin YV, Gvozdevsky BB (2005) Relativistic nucleon and electron production in the 2003 October 28 solar event. J Geophys Res 110(A9):A09S08. doi:10.1029/2004JA010936, 1-13

    Google Scholar 

  • Muraki Y, Murakami K, Miyazaki M, Mitsui K, Shibata S, Sakakibara S, Sakai T, Takahashi T, Yamada T, Yamaguchi K (1992) Observation of solar neutrons associated with the large flare on 1991 June 4. Astrophys J Lett (USA) 400(2, Part 2):L75–L78

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy RJ, Dermer CD, Ramaty R (1987) High-energy processes in solar flares. Astrophys J Suppl Ser (USA) 63(3):721–748

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Ostryakov VM, Kurganov IG (1990) Protons from neutron decay and properties of interplanetary medium. In: Proceedings of the 21st international cosmic ray conference, Adelaide, vol 5, pp 204–207

    Google Scholar 

  • Pyle KR, Simpson JA (1991) Observation of a direct solar neutron event on 22 March 1991 with the Haleakala, Hawaii, neutron monitor. In: Proceedings of the 22nd international cosmic ray conference, Dublin, vol 3, pp 53–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramaty R, Murphy RJ (1987) Nuclear processes and accelerated particles in solar flares. Space Sci Rev 45(3–4):213–268

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramaty R, Mandzhavidze N, Kozlovsky B, Skibo JG (1993) Acceleration in solar flares: interacting particles versus interplanetary particles. Adv Space Res (UK) 13(9):275–284

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Reames DV (2002) Magnetic topology of impulsive and gradual solar energetic particle events. Astrophys J Lett (USA) 571(1, Part 2):L63–L66

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Reid GC (1964) A diffusive model for the initial phase of a solar proton event. J Geophys Res 69(13):2659–2667

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Rieger E (1996) Spectral evolution of an intense gamma-ray line flare. In: Ramaty R, Mandzhavidze N, Hua X-M (eds) High energy solar physics, Proceedings of the conference held in Greenbelt, MD, 1995. AIP Conference Proceedings, vol 374, No 1, pp 194–199

    Google Scholar 

  • Roelof EC (1966) Effect of the interplanetary magnetic field on solar neutron-decay protons. J Geophys Res 71(5):1305–1317

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Roelof EC (1969) Propagation of solar cosmic rays in the interplanetary magnetic field. In: Ögelman H, Wayland JR (eds) Lectures in high energy astrophysics. NASA SP-199, Washington, DC, pp 111–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruffolo D (1991) Interplanetary transport of decay protons from solar flare neutrons. Astrophys J 382(2, Part 1):688–698

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Ruffolo D (1995) Effect of adiabatic deceleration on the focused transport of solar cosmic rays. Astrophys J (USA) 442(2, Part 1):861–874

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan J, Bennett K, Debrunner H, Forrest D, Hanlon L, Lockwood J, Loomis M, McConnell M, Morris D, Rank G, Schonfelder V, Swanenburg BN, Webber W, Winkler C (1993) Neutron and gamma ray measurements of the solar flare of 1991 June 9. In: Proceedings of the 23rd international cosmic ray conference, Calgary, vol 3, pp 103–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlüter W (1985) Die numerische Behandlung der Ausbreitung solarer flareinduzierter Teilchen in den magnetischen Feldern des interplanetaren Raumes. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany, 147 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Shea MA, Smart DF, Wilson MD (1991a) Possible ground-level measurements of solar neutron decay protons during the 19 October 1989 solar cosmic ray event. Geophys Res Lett 18(5):829–832

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Shea MA, Smart DF, Fluckiger EO (1991b) The evolution of the anisotropy of solar neutron decay protons during the 19 October 1989 solar cosmic ray event. In: Proceedings of the 22nd international cosmic ray conference, Dublin, vol 3, pp 41–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Shea MA, Smart DF, Pyle KR (1991c) Direct solar neutrons detected by neutron monitors on 24 May 1990. Geophys Res Lett 18(9):1655–1658

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Simnett GM (2005a) Near-relativistic electron emission following the 28 October 2003 X17 flare. J Geophys Res 110(A9):A09S01. doi:10.1029/2004JA010789, 1-10

    Google Scholar 

  • Simnett GM (2005b) Electron acceleration in the corona. Sol Phys (Netherlands) 229(2):213–226

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Simnett GM (2006) The timing of relativistic proton acceleration in the 20 January 2005 flare. Astron Astrophys (France) 445(2):715–724

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi K, Sakamoto E, Matsuoka M, Nishi K, Yamada Y, Shimoda S, Shikata T, Wada M, Kusunose M, Yoshimori M, Kondo I (1991) Observation of solar neutrons by Mt. Norikura neutron monitor during a period of solar cycle 22. In: Proceedings of the 22nd international cosmic ray conference, Dublin, vol 3, pp 37–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Tylka AJ, Cohen CMS, Dietrich WF, Lee MA, Maclennan CG, Mewaldt RA, Ng CK, Reames DV (2005) Shock geometry, seed populations, and the origin of variable elemental composition at high energies in large gradual solar particle events. Astrophys J 625(1, Part 1):474–495

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Wanner W, Wibberenz G (1993) A study of the propagation of solar energetic protons in the inner heliosphere. J Geophys Res (USA) 98(A3):3513–3528

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Wibberenz G, Kunow H, Muller-Mellin R, Sierks H, Heber B, Kallenrode M-B, Raviart A, Ferrando P, Ducros R (1992) Solar energetic and shock-accelerated particles observed between 1 and 4 AU by the Kiel Electron Telescope (KET) on board Ulysses. Geophys Res Lett 19(12):1279–1282

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang DL (1993) The transport of solar flare neutron-decay protons. In: Proceedings of the 23rd international cosmic ray conference, Calgary, vol 3, pp 143–146

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tel Aviv University and Israel Space Agency, 2217, Qazrin, 12900, Israel

    Prof. Lev I. Dorman (Head of Israel Cosmic Rays & Space Weather Center and Emilio Ségre Observatory Chief Scientist of Cosmic Ray)

  2. Department of N.V. Pushkov IZMIRAN, Russian Academy of Sciences, Troitsk, Russia

    Prof. Lev I. Dorman (Head of Israel Cosmic Rays & Space Weather Center and Emilio Ségre Observatory Chief Scientist of Cosmic Ray)

Authors
  1. Prof. Lev I. Dorman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lev I. Dorman .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer Netherlands

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Dorman, L.I. (2010). The Solar Neutron Decay Phenomenon. In: Solar Neutrons and Related Phenomena. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 365. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3737-4_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation