Simulation of a runaway electron avalanche developing in an atmospheric pressure air discharge

Journal Article · Tue Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 2015 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4936826· OSTI ID:22489966

Barengolts, S. A. ^[1]; Chaikovsky, S. A. ^[1]; Oreshkin, V. I. ^[2]

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1. P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute, RAS, 119991 Moscow (Russian Federation)
2. Institute of High Current Electrons, SB, RAS, 634055 Tomsk (Russian Federation)

To gain a better understanding of the operation of atmospheric pressure air discharges, the formation of a runaway electron beam at an individual emission site on the cathode has been numerically simulated. The model provides a description of the dynamics of the fast electrons emitted into an air gap from the surface of the emission zone by solving numerically two-dimensional equations for the electrons. It is supposed that the electric field at the surface of the emission zone is enhanced, providing conditions for continuous acceleration of the emitted electrons. It is shown that the formation of a runaway electron beam in a highly overvolted discharge is largely associated with avalanche-type processes and that the number of electrons in the avalanche reaches 50% of the total number of runaway electrons.

• OSTI ID: 22489966
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 22; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
AIR
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
AVALANCHE QUENCHING
CATHODES
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRON BEAMS
EMISSION
RUNAWAY ELECTRONS
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS