Drift coefficients of charged particles in turbulent magnetic fields

Abstract

Using test-particle simulations, the off-diagonal elements of the diffusion tensor are evaluated numerically. The comparison of the so-obtained time-dependent drift coefficients with analytical approximations shows that, for weak turbulence strengths or for slab turbulence geometry, the weak scattering result provides an excellent agreement with the numerical results. For two- or three-dimensional turbulence geometry, however, neither the classical scattering result nor alternative analytical approaches provide an accurate description of the numerically obtained values. Furthermore, the influence is discussed of a non-constant energy range in the turbulence spectrum and of non-static turbulence, for which the time dependence is modeled using magnetohydrodynamic plasma waves. © 2012. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.