Cosmic rays and trapped protons as a source of the Earth's positron radiation belt

摘要

The possible existence of a positron radiation belt in the inner magnetosphere of the Earth, its space localization, flux and energy distribution and the ratio of e~+/e~- flux are considered. We suggest for the positron generation the decay of charged pions born in nuclear reactions of the trapped radiation belt protons and of primary cosmic rays with residual atmosphere at the altitudes of 100 to 1000 km over the surface of the earth. A comparison is attempted with the recent data of AMS experiment on board the space shuttle.