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The Sulfur, Argon, and Calcium Isotopic Composition of the Galactic Cosmic Ray Source

Citation

Ogliore, Ryan Christopher (2007) The Sulfur, Argon, and Calcium Isotopic Composition of the Galactic Cosmic Ray Source. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/ZKDE-TE09. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-02082007-175902

Abstract

Galactic cosmic ray measurements of the sulfur, argon, and calcium isotopes made by the Cosmic Ray Isotope Spectrometer on the NASA Advanced Composition Explorer are reported over the energy range from 100 to 400 MeV/nucleon. The propagation of cosmic rays through the Galaxy and heliosphere is modeled with observational constraints imposed by measurements. Source abundance ratios of the sulfur, argon, and calcium isotopes are deduced from this model. Cosmic rays are thought to originate in the cores of superbubbles which contain stellar ejecta mixed with the surrounding interstellar medium. The composition of the superbubble core should reflect the composition of the cosmic rays at their source. Based on the derived isotopic source ratios of sulfur, argon, and calcium, the superbubble material at the cosmic ray source is constrained to be 18%+26%-14% supernova and wind ejecta, with the remainder interstellar medium material. This mix of metal-rich ejecta and interstellar medium in the superbubble core corresponds to a cosmic ray source metallicity of 2.7+3.9-2.1 times solar metallicity.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:astrophysics; cosmic rays
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
Major Option:Physics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Stone, Edward C.
Group:Space Radiation Laboratory
Thesis Committee:
  • Stone, Edward C. (chair)
  • Weinstein, Alan Jay
  • Higdon, James
  • McKeown, Robert D.
  • Mewaldt, Richard A.
Defense Date:18 December 2006
Non-Caltech Author Email:ogliore (AT) gmail.com
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-02082007-175902
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-02082007-175902
DOI:10.7907/ZKDE-TE09
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Ogliore, Ryan Christopher0000-0001-8165-6252
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:559
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:12 Feb 2007
Last Modified:18 Dec 2020 01:24

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