Low-energy electron production by relativistic runaway electron avalanches in air

This paper investigates the production of low‐energy (few eV) electrons by relativistic runaway electron avalanches. This work is motivated by a growing body of literature that claims that runaway electron avalanches produce an anomalous growth of low‐energy electrons and hence an anomalously large...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics 2011-09, Vol.116 (A9), p.n/a
Main Authors: Dwyer, Joseph R., Babich, Leonid P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atmospheric sciences
Lightning
runaway electrons
Theoretical physics
thunderclouds
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Summary:This paper investigates the production of low‐energy (few eV) electrons by relativistic runaway electron avalanches. This work is motivated by a growing body of literature that claims that runaway electron avalanches produce an anomalous growth of low‐energy electrons and hence an anomalously large electrical conductivity, a factor of 50 larger than expected from standard calculations. Such large enhancements would have a substantial impact on properties of runaway electron avalanches and their observable effects. Indeed, these purportedly large conductivities have been used to argue that runaway electron avalanches result in a novel form of electrical breakdown called “runaway breakdown.” In this paper, we present simple analytical calculations, detailed Monte Carlo simulations, and a review of the experimental literature to show that no such anomalous growth of low‐energy electron populations exists. Consequently, estimates of the conductivity generated by a runaway electron avalanche have been greatly exaggerated in many previous papers, drawing into question several of the claims about runaway breakdown. Key Points New calculation of the ionization produced by runaway electrons in air Much other work on the effects of runaway electrons is not correct
ISSN:0148-0227
2169-9380
2156-2202
2169-9402
DOI:10.1029/2011JA016494