Pitch-Angle Scattering of Cosmic Rays: Confronting Theory with Observations

Abstract

Cosmic ray (CR) propagation is controlled by scattering in turbulent magnetic fields in space. In general, diffusive propagation is governed by pitch-angle diffusion in phase space. In this study, pitch-angle diffusion in the local interstellar medium (LISM) deduced from the analysis of the CR small-scale anisotropy data from the Tibet AS${\hat{I}}^3$ experiment is compared with theoretical predictions. While it is difficult to reconcile the inferred LISM pitch angle diffusion coefficient with conventional theoretical results of particle scattering by Alfvénic turbulence, we find remarkable agreement with the predictions of particle scattering by quasi-slab fast modes whose properties are shaped by damping in the warm ionized medium. These findings offer direct evidence that CR scattering is predominantly governed by fast-mode turbulence. Furthermore, the comparison between experimental and theoretical results imposes strong constraints on plasma and magnetic field parameters within the local bubble, indicating that the LISM is in a low ${\hat{I}}^2$ condition. The turbulence in the LISM should be compressible with an amplitude in the range of $0.3\lesssim \hat{I}´B/B_0<1$.

9 pages, 4 figures, accepted in The Astrophysical Journal Letters (ApJL)

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