Photoelectron Escape Fluxes Obtained by a Monte Carlo Technique

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Photoelectrons in the ionosphere result from the action of solar ultraviolet radiation on atmospheric gases. It is extremely difficult to study the energy, pitch‐angle and spatial distributions of photoelectrons with a continuity equation approach because of the large variety and nature of the physical processes that must be considered. A Monte Carlo technique is well suited to simulate photoelectron diffusion through the atmosphere; one such method to deduce photoelectron distributions is described. Elastic and inelastic collisions with the neutral gases and Coulomb losses to thermal electrons are included. Illustrative results are presented for the photoelectron escape fluxes that result from the release of 20‐ev electrons from various ionospheric altitudes.