Finite volume solution of the relativistic Boltzmann equation for electron avalanche studies

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/27.736065· OSTI ID:321013

Symbalisty, E M.D.; Roussel-Dupre, R A; Yukhimuk, V A ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States). Earth and Environmental Sciences

The avalanche times, average beam energies, and bremsstrahlung production emission rates, as a function of applied electric field strength, from the kinetic theory or runaway air breakdown have been used in the modeling of upper atmosphere discharge phenomena known as red sprites, blue jets, and gamma ray flashes. The Boltzmann equation for a population of relativistic electrons in a constant external electric field in air is solved numerically in order to determine parameters of the resulting runaway electron beam. The numerical solution takes advantage of algorithms from computational fluid dynamics. This work revises the results from the original work where the numerical solution was found to be unstable.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• OSTI ID: 321013
• Journal Information: IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 26; ISSN ITPSBD; ISSN 0093-3813
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
BOLTZMANN EQUATION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
RELATIVISTIC RANGE