Fractionation of SI, NE, and MG Isotopes in the Solar Wind as Measured by SOHO/CELIAS/MTOF

  • R. Kallenbach
  • F. M. Ipavich
  • H. Kucharek
  • P. Bochsler
  • A. B. Galvin
  • J. Geiss
  • F. Gliem
  • G. Gloeckler
  • H. Grünwaldt
  • S. Hefti
  • M. Hilchenbach
  • D. Hovestadt
Conference paper
Part of the Space Sciences Series of ISSI book series (SSSI, volume 5)

Abstract

Using the high-resolution mass spectrometer CELIAS/MTOF on board SOHO we have measured the solar wind isotope abundance ratios of Si, Ne, and Mg and their variations in different solar wind regimes with bulk velocities ranging from 330 km/s to 650 km/s. Data indicate a small systematic depletion of the heavier isotopes in the slow solar wind on the order of (1.4±1.3)% per amu (2σ-error) compared to their abundances in the fast solar wind from coronal holes. These variations in the solar wind isotopic composition represent a pure mass-dependent effect because the different isotopes of an element pass the inner corona with the same charge state distribution. The influence of particle mass on the acceleration of minor solar wind ions is discussed in the context of theoretical models and recent optical observations with other SOHO instruments.

Key words

Solar Isotopic Composition Solar Wind SOHO 

Abbreviations

SOHO

Solar and Heliospheric Observatory

CELIAS

Charge, Element, and Isotope Analysis System

MTOF

Mass Time-of-Flight Spectrometer

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 1998

Authors and Affiliations

  • R. Kallenbach
    • 1
  • F. M. Ipavich
    • 2
  • H. Kucharek
    • 3
  • P. Bochsler
    • 4
  • A. B. Galvin
    • 2
  • J. Geiss
    • 1
  • F. Gliem
    • 5
  • G. Gloeckler
    • 2
  • H. Grünwaldt
    • 6
  • S. Hefti
    • 4
  • M. Hilchenbach
    • 6
  • D. Hovestadt
    • 3
  1. 1.International Space Science InstituteBernSwitzerland
  2. 2.Space Physics GroupUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkUSA
  3. 3.Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische PhysikGarchingGermany
  4. 4.Physikalisches InstitutUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
  5. 5.Technische UniversitätBraunschweigGermany
  6. 6.Max-Planck-Institut für AeronomieKatlenburg-LindauGermany

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