Source of magnetospheric antiparticles: Nuclear reactions in rarefied atmospheres Original Research Article

The ratio of positron/electron fluxes originated in nuclear reactions in the Earthʹs magnetosphere is considered. It is supposed that positrons as well as electrons are produced in the decay of charged pions (π→μ→e) born in nuclear collisions of trapped relativistic inner zone protons and cosmic rays with the residual atmosphere. These positrons and electrons being captured in magnetosphere create positron and electron radiation belts. The positron/electron trapped magnetospheric fluxes formed with this mechanism by radiation belt protons are simulated and resulting computed e+/e− flux ratio appears quantitatively in agreement with the recent observations of Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (The AMS colloboration, 1999). There >200 MeV positron flux with the intensity about 4 times higher than the electron flux of the same energy was registered in the equatorial region at the altitude of –400 km. This ratio significantly differs from computed one –1 obtained for the primary cosmic rays through the same mechanism.