Comparison of different solar irradiance models for the superthermal electron transport model for Mars

As the solar photon fluxes directly control the production of photoelectrons, it is important to examine the influence of different solar irradiance models on the photoelectron fluxes. In this study, we present the implementation of the two recent solar irradiance models, the Flare Irradiance Spectral Model (FISM) and the Heliospheric Environment Solar Spectral Radiation (HESSR) model, to our SuperThermal Electron Transport (STET) model. In addition, we have proposed a new modification to the Hinteregger-81 model. The resultant photoelectron fluxes from the three solar irradiance models, the Hinteregger-81 model, FISM and the HESSR model, are compared and mostly vary within a factor of 2. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.