CHANRION, Olivier, Zdeněk BONAVENTURA, Anne BOURDON and Torsten NEUBERT. Influence of the angular scattering of electrons on the runaway threshold in air. Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion. Institute of Physics, 2016, vol. 58, No 4, p. "nestrankovano", 9 pp. ISSN 0741-3335. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0741-3335/58/4/044001.
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Basic information
Original name Influence of the angular scattering of electrons on the runaway threshold in air
Name in Czech Vliv úhlového rozptylu elektronů na práh pro ubíhající elektrony
Authors CHANRION, Olivier (250 France), Zdeněk BONAVENTURA (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution), Anne BOURDON (250 France) and Torsten NEUBERT (208 Denmark).
Edition Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, Institute of Physics, 2016, 0741-3335.
Other information
Original language English
Type of outcome Article in a journal
Field of Study 10305 Fluids and plasma physics
Country of publisher United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Confidentiality degree is not subject to a state or trade secret
WWW URL
Impact factor Impact factor: 2.392
RIV identification code RIV/00216224:14310/16:00087786
Organization unit Faculty of Science
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0741-3335/58/4/044001
UT WoS 000371818600004
Keywords in English terrestrial gamma-ray flashes; runaway electrons; streamers; thunderstorms; angular scattering; lightning; thermal runaway
Tags AKR, rivok
Changed by Changed by: Ing. Andrea Mikešková, učo 137293. Changed: 6/4/2017 20:35.
Abstract
The runaway electron mechanism is of great importance for the understanding of the generation of x- and gamma rays in atmospheric discharges. In 1991, terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) were discovered by the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory. Those emissions are bremsstrahlung from high energy electrons that run away in electric fields associated with thunderstorms. In this paper, we discuss the runaway threshold definition with a particular interest in the influence of the angular scattering for electron energy close to the threshold. In order to understand the mechanism of runaway, we compare the outcome of different Fokker–Planck and Monte Carlo models with increasing complexity in the description of the scattering. The results show that the inclusion of the stochastic nature of collisions smooths the probability to run away around the threshold. Furthermore, we observe that a significant number of electrons diffuse out of the runaway regime when we take into account the diffusion in angle due to the scattering. Those results suggest using a runaway threshold energy based on the Fokker–Planck model assuming the angular equilibrium that is 1.6 to 1.8 times higher than the one proposed by [1, 2], depending on the magnitude of the ambient electric field. The threshold also is found to be 5 to 26 times higher than the one assuming forward scattering. We give a fitted formula for the threshold field valid over a large range of electric fields. Furthermore, we have shown that the assumption of forward scattering is not valid below 1 MeV where the runaway threshold usually is defined. These results are important for the thermal runaway and the runaway electron avalanche discharge mechanisms suggested to participate in the TGF generation.
Links
GA15-04023S, research and development projectName: Pokročilý výzkum kinetických procesů ve streamerových výbojích
Investor: Czech Science Foundation
LO1411, research and development projectName: Rozvoj centra pro nízkonákladové plazmové a nanotechnologické povrchové úpravy (Acronym: CEPLANT plus)
Investor: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the CR
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